Preview

December 15, Zhytomyr, Polissia Central City Stadium, 18:00
The live broadcast will be available on UPL.TV

Match build-up

Shakhtar gained 33 points in 15 rounds of the league and currently rank third, still having a game in hand compared to their competitors. Just like before, Marino Pusic’s team have the best goal difference (41–14) and open scoring streak of 14 matches in a row. In the previous round, the Miners defeated Vorskla Poltava (3-1), scoring three times before the break (Newertton, Sudakov and Traore scored the goals). Heorhii Sudakov is the most prolific player of the Orange-and-Blacks this season (9 goals, 4 assists). Artem Bondarenko (8, 2) and Oleksandr Zubkov (7, 6) are also among the top three goalscorers.

Opponents

Polissia have 6 wins, 6 draws and 4 losses after 16 UPL rounds and are 5th in the standings with 24 points (goal difference: 23–16). However, the recent results are disappointing for Zhytomyr fans: the team won in the league in the beginning of October, and the winless streak has already reached 8 matches (4 draws and 4 losses). In the previous game, Imad Ashur’s team played in the minority from the 12th minute and lost to Rukh (0-1), and suspended goalkeeper Yevhenii Volynets and forward Wendell will skip the match against Shakhtar. Instead, the main striking force of the Zhytomyr team – prolific wingers Oleksii Hutsuliak (9 goals, 2 assists) and Oleksandr Nazarenko (7, 5) – remains in service.

Match background

Shakthar and Polissia met three times in the Ukrainian League matches: the Zhytomyr team claimed 2 wins, 1 game ended in a draw.

Previous meeting

The teams played the first stage match in Kyiv at the Livyi Bereh arena on August 11. The fate of the game was decided by the only goal scored by Polissia defender Serhii Chobotenko in the 35th minute – 0-1.

The Polissia vs Shakhtar match will be officiated by the judging panel headed by Vitalii Romanov. Assistants – Oleksandr Berkut and Volodymyr Vysotskyi. VAR system will be used during the game (Mykola Balakin will be the VAR referee).