Shakhtar vs Bayern Munich Prediction and Football Tips
Champions League football tips – Shakhtar Donetsk vs Bayern Munich prediction
The fact that Shakhtar Donetsk have been on a winter break from their domestic league since early December, means that many of their players could be struggling for genuine match fitness. Since their Champions League match, away to Porto on the 10th December 2014, Shakhtar have played several friendly matches, in an attempt to stay fit.
Bayern Munich, on the other hand, returned to competitive action at the end of January and despite a comprehensive defeat at the hands of Wolfsburg, are coming back in to form. A solid, 2-0 away win against Stuttgart was followed up by a crushing 8-0 home victory over Hamburg, meaning Pep Guardiola’s men travel to the Ukraine in confident mood.
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Shakhtar have scored an average of 1.6 goals and conceded an average of 1.4 goals per game.
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Bayern Munich have scored an average of 3.3 goals and conceded an average of 0.9 goals per game.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Shakhtar’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 7 of Bayern Munich’s previous 10 matches.
- The two teams have never met before but Shakhtar have failed to defeat Bundesliga opposition in their previous 4 attempts at home (3 draws and 1 defeat).
Due to the military conflict surrounding Donetsk, the game will be played in Lviv, the scene of the 5-0 drubbing of Bate Borisov but also the 1-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao. Shakhtar will have to make do without midfielder Taras Stepanenko, who is suspended and possibly forward, Bernard, who is struggling for fitness. Having not played competitively for a long time, Shakhtar will be short on match fitness but will at least be fresh and should be itching to get out there and perform. Manager, Mircea Lucescu, will want his team to remain in the tie and still be in with a chance come the second leg.
Bayern Munich, will be missing Philipp Lahm, Javi Martinez and Thiago, who have all been out with long term injuries. However, the likes of Xabi Alonso, Rafinha and Franck Ribery could be in line to make a return to the team. The 7-1 thrashing of Roma aside, Bayern have not looked at the best away from home in the Champions League this season, losing to Manchester City, all be it with 10 men and coming away from Russia with a 1-0 victory, over CSKA Moscow.
This could be a tight game but with their superior quality and match fitness, Bayern should have enough to come away from Ukraine with a slender lead.
Predictions:
Bayern Munich to win 1-0 at 6/1 with Skybet
Half-time draw/Full-time Bayern Munich at 11/4 with Skybet
What are your predictions?