Shakhtar Donetsk Benfica betting prediction

The team plays its first match in this edition of the UEFA Europa League with the intention of getting a positive away result. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive level in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 8 wins, 4 draws and 3 losses in away matches, with 28 goals scored and 18 conceded; against 12 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses at their stadium, with 34 goals scored and 12 conceded. In their last match, for the Primeira Liga, they got a home loss against Sporting Braga by (0‑1). In the last 10 away matches Benfica has won 5, tied 4 and lost 1. Defensive consistency hasn’t been their best feature, as they have conceded goals in 7 of the last 10 matches, but their offense has scored consistently, as they have scored goals in 9 of the last 10 matches. In 15 matches, they have conceded the first goal 5 times but have turned the score around in 3. In the last 14 away matches for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: they have conceded 6 of their 15 goals between minutes (76'‑90').

Benfica comes unmotivated for this performance after a home defeat, by 0-1, against Braga. The visiting team usually plays in a 4-4-2, where the two players whose mission is to launch a panic in the opponent's defensive will be Rafa Silva and Carlos Vinícius. It is expectable that Cervi, Samaris, Taarabt and Pizzi will operate in the most central area of the pitch. Benfica must adopt a somewhat defensive stance, however, always on the lookout for counterattacks. Coach Bruno Lage won’t be able to count on Zivkovic, Gabriel, André Almeida and Jardel for being injured. It should be noted that Weigl will also be absent for being punished.

Confirmed Lineup: Odysseas Vlachodimos, Álex Grimaldo, Tomas Tavares, Francisco Ferreira, Rúben Dias, Franco Cervi, Adel Taarabt, Pizzi, Chiquinho, Florentino Luís, Haris Seferović.
Coach: R. Schmidt.