Shakhtar vs Sporting CPprediction and how to watch

Prediction and how to watch for Shakhtar vs Sporting CP: everything you need to know before the game.

Shakhtar Donetsk host Sporting CP at Stamford Bridge in London on Tuesday 3 November, kicking off at 11.45am Central Mexico time (5.45pm GMT), in Matchday 4 of the Champions League league phase.

The Ukrainian side are 17th on four points, while the Portuguese club sit 12th on six.

Match preview

Shakhtar Donetsk arrive in London with four points from three games and a goal difference of +1. They sit 17th in the 36-team league phase table, with one win, one draw and one defeat.

In their only home game of the campaign, they won 3-1. Away from home, they have taken a draw and a defeat, scoring once and conceding twice.

The defeat came in Milan, where Inter won 1-0 on 21 October. Since then, the Miners have drawn 0-0 with Zorya Luhansk, thrashed Dynamo Kyiv 3-0 in the Cup and beaten Obolon-Brovar 2-0 on 30 October.

That is three matches without conceding, a sign of defensive solidity under Arda Turan. In Europe, though, they have scored only four goals in three matches.

Sporting CP have six points, sit 12th and have a goal difference of +3. They have won two and lost one. They won 2-0 at Lens on 13 October, and at home they have scored five and conceded four in two games.

The setback came on 21 October, a 3-2 home defeat to LASK Linz. Four days later, they lost 2-1 at home to Academico Viseu in the league. The Lions responded with a 2-1 win over Maritimo in the League Cup and a 2-0 victory at Casa Pia on 30 October.

Luis Suarez is the main attacking reference, with four goals this season. Sporting average 2.3 goals per game in the league phase, but they also concede more than one per match.

Our data holds no recent meetings between the sides. Khelnow lists two previous encounters, both won by the Portuguese club.

The context matters. The top eight in the table go straight to the round of 16, while teams from ninth to 24th enter the play-offs. Sporting, in 12th, sit outside that elite group. A Shakhtar win would take them to seven points, one more than their opponents currently have, and they play at Stamford Bridge, the ground they are using as their home venue this season.

Team news

Shakhtar are without Pedrinho, who has a muscle injury, and Eguinaldo, who is out with a shoulder problem. Marlon is doubtful with a muscle issue. The records also list Korniyenko, Obah, Puzankov, Shved and Tvardovskyi as off the roster.

Sporting will be without Zeno Debast, who is still working his way back to fitness, and Rodrigo Zalazar, who has a thigh injury. Nuno Santos remains out with a knee problem. All three are listed as unavailable.

Pedrinho's absence and the doubt over Marlon limit Turan's options, while Sporting have three definite absentees. Both teams played on 27 and 30 October, so fatigue should be similar. Sources disagree on the probable starting XIs, so we will wait for the official teamsheets.

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