Preview

Before the match
 
Having defeated Zirka in Kropyvnytskyi, Shakhtar regained the lead. The Donetsk side are 2 points ahead of the nearest pursuers, being the most prolific in the championship (21 goals scored). The encounters with Karpaty are traditionally challenging, and this time the Miners will receive the Lviv team after the away Champions League game in Manchester.
 
Today, Shakhtar had an open training session, before which Paulo Fonseca, Bohdan Butko and Alan Patrick answered the reporters’ questions. Fred is ready to be helpful to the team again after missing the previous round meeting due to suspension, though Taras Stepanenko will not appear due to earning two yellow cards.
 
Opponents
 
Before the match vs the league leaders, Karpaty sit in the 10th spot. The Green-and-Whites have 8 points, Stal have one point less, with Chornomorets sitting rock bottom of the table with 6 points. Density of the sides in the lower half is quite high, so every victory can significantly improve their standing.
 
In the current season, the Lviv team managed to claim only one win, beating Stal at home in the 4th round (3-1). In the very next meeting, Karpaty were demolished by Mariupol, followed by goalless stalemates vs Oleksandriia and Olimpik who play in European competitions.
 
After the 1-6 defeat at the hands of Veres, the club parted with the Spaniard Sergio Navarro. Serhii Zaitsev was appointed as a caretaker coach. Under his leadership, Karpaty drew 0-0 with Zorya and 1-1 with Chornomorets. Former Shakhtar forward Oleksandr Gladkyy converted a spot kick after returning to Lviv.

Head-to-head record
 
The teams met in the league 48 times. Shakhtar boast 31 wins, Karpaty have 9, with 8 draws. The goal difference is 96-35.
 
The Orange-and-Blacks won 20 games out of 24 at home. On the rest of occasions they tied. The goal difference is 60-10.
 
Previous league meeting
 
In Kharkiv on November 19, 2016, the Orange-and-Blacks opened the scoring through a goal by Srna. Soon, the Green-and-Whites equalized from the spot, with Ksenz getting his name on the scoresheet. In the closing stages, the Donetsk team also earned a spot kick, with Pidkivka parrying Darijo's spot kick away. After the break, Shakhtar attacked and netted one in the 77th minute, when Ferreyra headed home another high ball from the captain – 2-1.