Preview

August 16, Kyiv, Livyi Bereh, 15:30
The live broadcast will be available on UPL.TV

Match build-up

Shakhtar have started the new league campaign with victories in their opening two rounds. First, Arda Turan’s side thrashed Kudrivka (5-1), then a week ago they beat Epicentr away (2-0) through goals from Oleh Ocheretko and Yehor Nazaryna. The Pitmen’s top scorer so far this season is Brazilian forward Kaua Elias, who has three goals to his name. Ahead of the meeting with Kharkiv, the Orange-and-Blacks mainly prepared in Lviv, with Ukraine national team head coach Andrea Maldera attending one of the training sessions. A day before the game, the team held a training session in Kyiv. As for team news, midfielder Dmytro Kryskiv has returned to training with the general group.

Opponents

Kharkiv, who finished in the top five in the previous UPL season, have ambitions of competing for European qualification this season. The team had a busy pre-season, playing nine friendly matches (1 win, 2 draws, 6 losses), while the club has also been active in the transfer market: goalkeeper Heorhii Yermakov, defender Artem Smoliakov, midfielders Oleksandr Yatsyk and Rafael Profini, forward Carlos Paraco have already joined the Citizens. Mladen Bartulovic’s side opened the new season with a win over Veres (1-0), but suffered an away defeat to Polissia in the second round (1-3). Kharkiv currently sit in mid-table with 3 points (goal difference: 2-3).

Match background

Shakhtar and Kharkiv have met seven times in the UPL: five wins for the Miners and two draws. Total goal difference: 15-2 in favour of the Orange-and-Blacks.

Previous meeting

On March 15, the teams met in a UPL match at the Arena Lviv. The tense encounter was decided by a single goal, with Pedrinho converting a penalty in the 62nd minute. 1-0 – a victory for the Miners.

The Kharkiv vs Shakhtar match will be officiated by a refereeing team led by Oleksandr Shandor. Assistants – Ruslan Yermolenko and Denys Marchenko. VAR – Viktor Kopiievskyi. VAR assistant – Semen Shlonchak.