2022-23 UEFA Champions League Group Stage: Celtic vs Shakhtar Donetsk

Celtic welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to Celtic Park in Group F of 2022-23 UEFA Champions League.

Only victory coupled with defeat for RB Leipzig would keep Celtic’s qualification hopes alive, whilst Shakhtar Donetsk could go second with a win.

 

Team News

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Jota could return for Celtic if he passes a late fitness test after recovering from an unspecified injury.

David Turnbull (fitness) is a doubt but Stephen Welsh (knock), Carl Starfelt and Callum McGregor (both knee)

Shakhtar Donetsk could be without Marian Shved, Yukhym Konoplya and Oleg Ocheretko due to unspecified injuries.

Victor Kornienko (knee) is ruled out.

 

Stat Attack

• Celtic are unbeaten in three of five previous meetings against Shakhtar Donetsk (W2, D1, L2).
• Shakhtar Donetsk have lost each of their two previous visits to Celtic (L2), losing 1-0 in November 2004 then 2-1 in November 2007.
• Out of all teams sat in fourth place across all eight groups, only Rangers and Copenhagen have scored less goals than Celtic coming into this matchweek.
• Celtic has been caught offside on less occasions than their Group G rivals, having been ruled offside on just three occasions.
• No Group G team has produced more tackles in their opening four group matches than Shakhtar Donetsk (57).

 

Prediction

Having battled to a 4-3 win at Hearts on Saturday in a performance atypical of their Champions League defensive performances – in which their defending was poor, Celtic now need to tighten up but maintain their clinical touch which proved crucial in their league victory.

Shakhtar Donetsk meanwhile have been fairly consistent in their performances with seven goals scored and five goals conceded in their four group matches, and I can’t see them changing their approach here because they have proven solid across the pitch and difficult to beat.

Angel Postecoglou’s Hoops therefore will need to again be at their very best to snatch a needed win but I do feel like another draw could be in store here.

Prediction: Celtic 1-1 Shakhtar Donetsk

Result: Celtic 1-1 Shakhtar Donetsk