U21. Dynamo vs Shakhtar: preview

In the standings, there is a three-point gap between the arch-rivals, so the meeting will answer the question of who is leaving for the winter break as the U21 league leaders. Dynamo have been leading currently (with 44 points and goal difference of 44-13). Shakhtar have 41 points, with Valeriy Kryventsov’s team being the most prolific in the league, having conceded the least goals (goal difference of 46-10).

In the previous round, the Pitmen claimed a home win over Stal (3-0). Oleksandr Mihunov opened the scoring as early as in the second minute, with Giorgi Arabidze and Yurii Hlushchuk sealing the win. For the Georgian midfielder this goal is the tenth this season making him level with the Orange-Blacks’ top scorer Mykyta Adamenko. Adamenko himself did not participate in the meeting with Kamenske-based side due to injury. He will not be able to help his teammates in the game against Dynamo either.

Besides, goalkeeper Vladyslav Trescheiko, as well as defenders Illya Ichuaidze and Dmytro Shevchenko have still been recovering. Midfielder Denys Arendaruk is back training with the team’s main group. No Pitmen will be missing the upcoming ‘Clasico’ for disciplinary reasons.

Dynamo U21 led by the Spaniard Unai Melgosa have 14 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat after 17 games this season. For the last time Kyiv lost points in the 11th round, suffering an away defeat at the hands of Chornomorets (1-3), then winning six games in a row. In the previous round, the White-and-Blues proved stronger than Vorskla (2-0). The visitors managed to score their first goal on 64 minutes (Serhiy Miakushko converted a spot kick), with Oleksii Schebetun doubling the lead in injury time.

The most prolific player of Dynamo this season is Serhiy Miakushko with 13 goals.

In the history of U21 championships and reserves competitions, the opponents had 25 encounters: 7 wins by Shakhtar, 8 draws, 10 wins by Dynamo.

The opponents’ first leg took place on September 9, 2016 in Schaslyve. In the first half, the teams exchanged goals: Artem Besedin responded to Oleksandr Zubkov’s goal with a precision shot on target. Immediately after the break, the Pitmen regained the lead through the effort by Andrii Boriachuk, still failing to save it. Zurab Ochigava and Volodymyr Shepelev secured Kyiv’s win (2-3).

Shakhtar have not suffered any away defeats this season: five wins and two draws. At the same time, Dynamo lost points exceptionally in away games, winning all eight home games.

The encounters on Kyiv’s pitch stand out due to numerous goals scored: in 12 games the opponents netted 51 goals. With 38 goals scored in Shakhtar’s home games.

Shakhtar and Dynamo remain to be the best behaving teams. In 17 rounds, the Orange-and-Blacks got only 27 bookings, with Kyiv earning 30 of them.

Referee Kostiantyn Trukhanov officiated the U21 sides’ first leg as well, showing two yellow cards to both teams.