Preview

December 1, Lviv, Arena Lviv, 18:00
The live broadcast will be available on UPL.TV

Match build-up

Shakhtar are top of the UPL table, having collected 30 points after 13 rounds, and boast an impressive goal difference of 35-10 (+25). Arda Turan’s side won their last four matches in the Ukrainian Premier League with an aggregate score of 20-2. The Pitmen left no chance for Obolon away (6-0) in the previous round and continued their successful run with a victory in the UEFA Europa Conference League against the champions of Ireland Shamrock Rovers (2-1) on Thursday, strengthening their position among the leaders of the European competition. In these matches, Shakhtar’s leading goalscorer Kaua Elias found the net (10 goals and 4 assists). The list of the team’s most prolific players also includes Pedrinho (5/8) and Luca Meirelles (5/1).

Opponents

Kryvbas recorded 6 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses from 13 matches and are fifth in the UPL table with 21 points (goal difference: 22-21). For a time, Patrick van Leeuwen’s side were even leading the league, however they have suffered 2 defeats and recorded 2 draws in their last four matches. In particular, the Kryvyi Rih team failed to hold on to a two-goal advantage and eventually shared the points with Veres (2-2) in the previous round. The team’s most prolific players this season are Yehor Tverdokhlib (7 goals and 3 assists) and the Colombian Gleiker Mendoza (5/9).

Match background

The opponents met 48 times in Ukrainian league competitions: the Miners won 33 times, 9 games ended in a draw, with the Kryvyi Rih outfit proving stronger in 6 meetings. Total goal difference: 95-29 in favour of the Orange-and-Blacks.

Previous meeting

On 16 April, the teams played the rescheduled first stage match of last season in Kryvyi Rih. Shakhtar held the advantage through Taras Stepanenko’s goal. In the 62nd minute, Kevin doubled the lead and the hosts’ midfielder Yehor Tverdokhlib pulled one back late in the match. A 2-1 victory for the Pitmen.

The Shakhtar vs Kryvbas match will be officiated by the judging panel headed by Viktor Kopiievskyi. Assistants: Semen Shlonchak and Viktor Nyzhnyk. VAR – Denys Shurman.