Shakhtar Donetsk vs Real Madrid : Preview, Live stream & TV channel info, Team News, Prediction, Betting Odds

Gareth Bale (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo (R) will be looking to lead the Los Blancos to a convincing victory against Shakhtar

Beleaguered Real Madrid fly down to Donetsk with very bitter taste in the mouth following the Clasico humiliation, and will be aiming to put the vanquishment in the dustbin of history with a morale-boosting win in Ukraine.

Having already qualified for the knock-out stages, the Los Blancos only need to pick up four more points from the remaining two games to finish the group as leaders, ahead of French giants Paris St.Germain.

While things are going wayward in the league, everything’s green and serene for Rafa Benitez’s side in the Champions League who are unbeaten after four rounds of fixtures and more importantly, yet to concede.

However, chinks have developed in Real’s armour in the recent games, and the hosts for the occasion, Shakhtar, will be attempting to inflict further damage on the visitors as they eye Europa League spot.

The Miners are currently third in group A behind the bigwigs and ahead of another minnow Malmo, albeit only on goal difference.

Kickoff and Live Telecast

Date and Time: Wednesday, 25th November 2015 – 19:45 (GMT) (Thursday, 26th November 2015 – 01:15 AM IST)

Channel: Ten HD

Live streaming: www.ronaldo7.net

Venue: Arena Lviv, Donetsk

Team News:

Shakhtar Donetsk

The hosts have some concerns from the defensive front going into the game as they will have to make do without captain Dario Darijo Srna and Oleksandr Kucher, both of whom are sidelined due to injuries. Shakhtar midfielder Maksym Malyshev‘s condition is on the anvil and is doubtful to play a part in the match.

Real Madrid

The visitor came out of their injury crisis post the international break with almost all key players available at Benitez’s disposal but suffered fresh casualties during the El Clasico. Defenders Marcelo and Sergio Ramos have been ruled out of the trip to Ukraine, whereas Pepe makes his way back into the line-up following a long injury lay-off.

Possible line-ups:

Shakhtar Donetsk (4-2-3-1): Pyatov; Shevchuk, Ordets, Rakitskiy, Azevedo; Fred, Stepanenko; Marlos, Teixeira, Taison; Gladkiy.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Navas; Danilo, Pepe, Varane, Nacho; Modric, Casemiro; Bale, Rodriguez, Ronaldo; Benzema.

Form

Shakhtar Donetsk

The Miners are enjoying a fine run of form at the moment. The hosts of this game are currently sitting atop the standings in the Ukrainian league, and look certain book a place in the Europa League.

Shakhtar pummeled Malmo 4-0 in their last European outing, and their last five games in all competitions have seen a score of 22-3 in their favour, including a 7-1 shellacking of Zorya in the league.

The home side clearly appear to be the in-form team of the two, and may continue in the same vein to avenge their 4-0 loss on the opening day to Real Madrid.

Recent form (All competitions): L-W-W-W-W (Last game: Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0 Volyn)

Real Madrid

The capital club are in a spot of bother currently. Having put to the sword by PSG in the narrow 1-0 victory earlier this month, they were handed their first loss of the season by Sevilla in a 3-2 defeat, that was followed by a morale-sapping 4-0 mauling at the hands of arch-rivals Barcelona, moreover in their own backyard.

So the visitors are out to prove a point and Benitez must engineer a win here to cut himself some slack.

Recent form (All competitions): W-W-W-L-L (Last game: Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona)

Key facts and figures:

Shakhtar forward Alex Teixeira has scored 21 goals in 22 games in all competitions.

Real Madrid are the only team remaining in the Champions League this season who are yet to concede.

Real Madrid have lost only thrice in their last 30 European games.

Los Blancos haven’t lost three games in a row since May 2009.

Real Madrid have won only once and lost only once, in their six trips to Ukraine.

Prediction

Pressures mounting on the under-fire Real Madrid honcho Rafael Benitez who desperately needs to churn out a result from his side. Some shaky defending coupled with the poor form of many a few key players has seen the Madrid outfit lose grip in the La Liga title hunt, but can approach this game as a chance to get themselves back on track especially after the weekend drubbing in El Clasico.

The Meringues may not be in the best of their form at the moment, but still have enough weapons in their arsenal to gun Shakhtar down.

Shakhtar Donetsk 1-2 Real Madrid

Betting odds (Bet365)

Shakhtar Donetsk – 56/19

Draw – 37/13

Real Madrid – 9/10