PSV vs Shakhtar predictions: Dutch giants to take control early on
- PSV have won by three clear goals in four of their last five
- Shakhtar have lost two of their last three games in Europe
- Recommended bet: PSV to win the first half
PSV Eindhoven picked up their first Champions League win of the campaign at the fourth time of asking as they coasted past Girona with a 4-0 victory, having slipped up after strong starts against PSG and Sporting.
The Dutch champions are heavy favourites for another three points when they host Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, with the visitors having mustered just two goals across their first four games.
Team news
PSV are dealing with a significant injury list, but it hasn’t hampered their push for the Eredivisie title.
The hosts are set to be without Jerdy Schouten, Armando Obispo, Adamo Nagalo, Joey Veerman and Sergino Dest.
The visitors have 10 players who have featured in all four Champions League games so far, so expect a settled side for this trip.
The stats
The visitors have failed to score in three of their four matches in Europe this term, while PSV have led at the break in their last three Champions League games.
The Dutch champions have scored within 20 minutes in each of their last five outings and have won their last three home matches by a 15-0 aggregate scoreline.
The hosts have scored first in seven of their last eight home outings and Shakhtar have conceded first in each of their last three Champions League games.
Prediction
With five points on the board, PSV are in a good position going into the back half of their Champions League fixtures.
However, their run-in could be tricky, with visits to Brest and Red Star to come before a home clash with Liverpool.
The Dutch side should be targeting another five points to secure a spot in the knockout stages and Wednesday’s clash is their most winnable contest.
It helps that PSV head into the game in fine form, having won four of their last five games by three clear goals.
That includes their 4-0 thumping of Girona, where their strong starts in Europe finally paid off – the Dutch outfit had taken the lead in their previous two European games, at home to Sporting and away to PSG.
Having led at the break in each of their last three European matches, they are backed to take control early on.
Shakhtar have failed to score in three of their first four League Phase games and have conceded first in three consecutive European outings.
On the other hand, PSV have scored first in seven of their eight home matches and having scored 15 times without reply in their last three, so they are tipped for a half-time lead against Shakhtar.
Win up to £250,000 with LiveScore 6!
Win up to £250,000 with our free-to-play game, LiveScore 6!
