Preview

November 2, Lviv, Arena Lviv, 18:00
The live broadcast will be available on UPL.TV

Match build-up

Shakhtar approach the Ukrainian Clasico as the UPL leaders. Arda Turan’s side collected 21 points (goal difference: 19-8) in 10 league matches and are one point ahead of their arch-rivals. In the previous round, the Miners confidently defeated the Premier League newcomers Kudrivka (4-0) through a brace from Kaua Elias and goals from Oleh Ocheretko and Anton Hlushchenko. Earlier this week, the Orange-and-Blacks already faced Dynamo in the Ukrainian Cup Round of 16: after Luka Meirelles opened the scoring, the Pitmen were in front, but conceded twice midway through the second half and lost (1-2). Shakhtar’s most prolific players this season are forward Kaua Elias (7 goals and 1 assist), midfielders Pedrinho (4 goals and 7 assists) and Alisson (4 goals and 6 assists). The team will be without the injured Dmytro Kryskiv, Alisson and Lassina Traore in the upcoming match.

Opponents

Dynamo have 20 points (goal difference: 27-12) and sit second in the table after 10 Premier League rounds. In their previous match, Oleksandr Shovkovskyi’s men ended their autumn run of five consecutive league draws by defeating Kryvbas (4-0). Denys Popov, Oleksandr Karavaiev, Andrii Yarmolenko and Eduardo Guerrero scored in that game. Overall, the team’s unbeaten streak in the UPL has now reached 42 matches. The Kyiv side also continue their European campaign: having failed to progress through the qualification stages of the Champions League and Europa League, the White-and-Blues advanced to the UEFA Conference League league phase, where they suffered two defeats in their opening fixtures. Dynamo’s most prolific players this season are Nazarii Voloshyn (5 goals and 5 assists), Vitalii Buialskyi (5 goals and 4 assists) and Eduardo Guerrero (5 goals and 1 assist). Defenders Kristian Bilovar and Vladyslav Dubinchak, as well as midfielder Mykola Shaparenko, remain sidelined through injury.

Match background

Shakhtar and Dynamo faced each other 74 times in the Ukrainian Championship. The Miners have 28 victories, 21 matches ended in draws, with the Kyiv side winning 25 times. Total goal difference: 91-87 in favour of the Orange-and-Blacks. Shakhtar’s unbeaten run in the Ukrainian Clasico at the UPL level now stretches to 7 matches (3 wins and 4 draws).

Previous UPL meeting

The teams met in a league match at Arena Lviv on April 27. The Donetsk side made a strong start and quickly scored twice: Kevin converted a penalty in the 6th minute and Eguinaldo found the net in the 20th. However, after the break, the Kyiv side managed to come back: Vanat reduced the deficit in the 56th minute and Kabaiev equalised in added time. 2-2 draw as a result.

The Shakhtar vs Dynamo game will be officiated by the judging panel headed by Vitalii Romanov. Assistants – Oleksandr Pavlinov and Vitalii Sukhin. VAR – Ihor Paskhal.