Preview

August 17, Veres, Avanhard, 15:30
The live broadcast will be available on UPL.TV

Match build-up

Shakhtar began the new UPL season with a win over Epicentr (1-0), and in the second round drew with Karpaty (3-3). In Lviv, the Pitmen took the lead three times through goals from Newertton, Kaua Elias and Alisson, but each time the hosts came back. In addition, Arda Turan’s side continue their campaign on the European stage: this week, the Pitmen played a gruelling UEFA Europa League match against Panathinaikos, which lasted 120 minutes and ended with a penalty shootout defeat.

Shakhtar returned to Ukraine on Friday and had just one full day to prepare for the clash with Veres. Apart from the demanding schedule, the Orange-and-Blacks are also struggling with personnel issues: in their most recent match, the coaching staff were unable to count on five injured players: Kryskiv, Traore, Eguinaldo, Kevin and Pedrinho. Also, due to personal circumstances, Heorhii Sudakov missed the game in Kraków, and Sunday’s fixture in Rivne could become his 100th appearance in the UPL.

Opponents

Veres began the league campaign with two defeats: in the first round, Oleh Shandruk’s side lost at home to Dynamo (0-1) and suffered another narrow loss away to newcomers Poltava a week ago (0-1). The Rivne team’s productivity may have been affected by the fact that, in the summer, the club parted ways with key attacking players: Mykola Haiduchyk was sold to Polissia, Ruslan Stepaniuk left as a free agent, while the loan spells of foreign players Luan Campos and Wendell came to an end. To replace them, Veres signed Denys Ndukwe from Vorskla, Serhii Sten from Metalist 1925 and 19-year-old Gambian forward Alagie Wally, all of whom have already made their debuts for the new team.

Match background

Shakhtar and Veres played 13 matches in the Ukrainian Premier League: The Miners won 9 matches, 3 encounters ended in a draw and 1 match was won by Veres. Total goal difference: 26-8 in favour of the Orange-and-Blacks.

Previous meeting

On 6 April, the two sides met in the UPL at the Livyi Bereh. The first half passed without any goals, but in the 59th minute the Miners opened the scoring – Kevin found the net. Towards the end of the match, the Pitmen extended their lead, with goals from Heorhii Sudakov and Lassina Traore. 3-0.

The Veres vs Shakhtar match will be officiated by the judging panel headed by Denys Shurman. Assistants – Valentyn Kutsev and Vitalii Skoblia. VAR – Vitalii Romanov.