Preview

October 18, Kovalivka, Kolos, 18:00
The live broadcast will be available on UPL.TV

Match build-up

Shakhtar played 8 matches in the Ukrainian Championship, scored 16 points and are currently sitting in the 4th spot in the tournament table. At the same time, the Miners have the best goal difference: 24-9. Marino Pusic’s sides claimed a crushing victory over LNZ (5-1) in the previous round, with Donetsk midfielder Heorhii Sudakov stealing the spotlight by scoring four goals. He is currently the top scorer of the Ukrainian Premier League with 7 goals.

During the club break, 12 Shakhtar footballers played for their national and youth teams and joined the squad only ahead of the meeting with Kolos. It should be noted that striker of the Orange-and-Blacks Danylo Sikan, who returned to training after an injury, also prepared for the match in Kovalivka in the general group. No Pitmen will miss the clash due to disqualifications.

Opponents

Kolos started the season with 2 draws, and then suffered 4 consecutive defeats, one of which eliminated the Kovalivka-based team from the Ukrainian Cup. However, the team under the leadership of 38-year-old coach Oleksandr Pozdieiev managed to interrupted a disappointing streak this autumn, claiming the first league victory against Zorya (1-0), and also tying with LNZ (1-1), Rukh (0-0) and Livyi Bereh (0-0). As a result, Kolos now have 8 points (goal difference: 5-7) after 9 rounds and are currently 13th in the Premier League table. The most prolific players are Andrii Tsurykov and Maksym Tretiakov (2 goals each).

Match background

Shakhtar and Kolos met 11 times in the Ukrainian League: 10 victories of the Miners and 1 draw. Total goal difference: 30-8 in favour of the Orange-and-Blacks.

Previous meeting

The teams played at the Arena Lviv on March 28. At the very beginning of the match, the Kovalivka team took the lead after Oleh Ilin's goal and kept a minimal advantage until the break, but in the second half, the Pitmen changed the game through Kevin's brace and Traore's goal. At the end of the match, the Burkinabe scored an own goal, but Marino Pusic's side still secured the 3-2 victory.

The Kolos vs Shakhtar match will be officiated by the judging panel headed by Oleksii Derevynskyi. Assistants: Semen Shlonchak and Viktor Nyzhnyk. VAR system will be used during the game (Vitalii Romanov will be the VAR referee).