The Champions League returns with a series of fascinating fixtures this week, and ironically enough, Europe’s biggest club competition will also play host to a game that many are already calling a mismatch. Premier League champions Manchester City will be taking on Shakhtar Donetsk, in a game that a few years ago would’ve been viewed as really competitive. Whatever the case may be, however, we should still be in for a fun encounter between two sides that are incredibly eager to register all three points.
Manchester City
What is there to be said about Manchester City that hasn’t already been said? They’re utterly phenomenal and they deserve all of the praise and accolades that come their way, to the point where it becomes somewhat surprising when we remember that they’ve never won the Champions League before. They’ll want to rectify that this season and you could argue that they’ll never have a better chance to do it, given how many top teams have been struggling in recent weeks.
Team News
Jesus will likely receive a start, with Mahrez and Danilo itching to return and Otamendi/Gundogan both likely being out of action.
Shakhtar Donetsk
Shakhtar will continue to be big players in Ukraine, and they’ll always have a pretty nice past when it comes to the Europa League, but they feel like a small fish in what many fans consider to be an extremely big pond in the UCL. With that being said they’re a team that have always showcased a great deal of heart and that’s something that can be respected by everyone, and as we look ahead to the future, we wonder whether or not their fans will look back on this game as being a vital moment in their history.
Team News
Kovalenko and Taivon are both on track to start, and they could both cause City some damage – but will it be enough to walk away with a shock twist?
Factors to Consider
-The game will be played at Man City’s Etihad Stadium.
-Man City have won five and drawn one of their last six games.
-Shakhtar Donetsk have won three, drawn two and lost one of their last six games.
-Man City have scored 17 goals and conceded one in their last six games.
-Shakhtar Donetsk have scored nine goals and conceded seven in their last six games.
Conclusion
Manchester City are one of the best clubs in European football and that shouldn’t exactly come as a shock to people, which is why we’re picking them to win fairly convincingly. Shakhtar are still dramatically underrated in the realms of Europe and that needs to change, but they’re still quite a few steps below City in pretty much every single department imaginable. We’re going to go with a 3-1 win, with the Ukrainians being able to claw one back late in the game to make up for what will probably be a one sided domination.
Prediction: Man City win
