U21. Olimpik vs Shakhtar: match preview

Shakhtar continue the title race with Dynamo: the leaders duo broke 6 points away from the closest rivals. In 10 matches, the Pitmen claimed 8 wins, showcasing the highest performance in the league – 32 goals scored and 7 conceded. Two orange-and-black players remain to be the league’s top scorers: Andrii Boriachuk and Mykyta Adamenko (with 7 goals each). In the previous round, Shakhtar U21 beat Zorya at home (2-0) through the precision shots by Vyacheslav Tankovskyi and Roman Yalovenko.

During the two-week league break, five orange-and-black lads played for Ukraine U21 team in the 2017 EURO U21 qualifying round: Shakhtar U21 players Ihor Kiryukhantsev and Taras Kacharaba, as well as Shakhtar senior team players Mykola Matviienko Oleksandr Zubkov and Andrii Boriachuk. Besides, Volodymyr Hrachov and Denys Arendaruk participated in a test match of Ukraine U20, with Giorgi Arabidze playing for Georgia U19.

Unfortunately, the internationals could not avoid injuries. In the meeting against Olimpik, Kiryukhantsev and Arendaruk, who are recovering from injuries, will not help the charges of Valeriy Kryventsov. At the same time, the captain of Shakhtar U21 Oleksandr Pikhalyonok, who missed the last two games, is back to the ranks. None of both teams’ players will miss the upcoming meeting due to suspension.

Olimpik spend their third season in the U21 league, progressing with each passing year. In 2015, they finished last, ending up in the 10^th spot last season, currently competing in the top three. In 10 games this season, they claimed 5 victories and had 4 draws, with only one defeat (19 points, goal difference 19-12). Shakhtar striker Stanyslav Belenkyi is among the league’s top scorers (7 goals).

The charges of Ihor Klymovskyi have not lost at home. In Bila Tserkva, they beat Dnipro (2-1) and drew with Dynamo (1-1). In the previous round, Olimpik were tied away vs Vorskla (1-1). The Donetsk team were in front after the goal by Sharai, but failed to save the win.

As part of the U21 league, Shakhtar and Olimpik had 4 games: three wins and one draw. The goal difference is 8-2 in favour of the Orange-and-Blacks.

In the first round of the past season, the Pitmen confidently defeated Olimpik in Bila Tserkva. In the first half, two goals were scored by Abdrii Boriachuk, but after the break Tsymbalyuk managed to reduce the deficit. Five minutes away from time, Oleksandr Pikhalyonok extended the lead, with Boriachuk netting a hat-trick (4-1).

The meeting in the second half of the season was more hard-fought, with the spot kick by Andrii Boriachuk making the Pitmen victorious (1-0).

This season, Shakhtar have not suffered any away defeats yet (3 wins and 1 draw), with Olimpik enjoying an unbeaten run (2 wins and 2 draws).

Three Pitmen (Boriachuk, Adamenko and Arabidze) have scored 19 goals this season. The same number of goals was scored in 10 games by all of Olimpik players.