Shakhtar Donetsk vs Benfica Prediction & Match Preview

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Benfica
Europa League
Date: Thursday, 20 February 2020
Kick-off at 17:55 UK / 18:55 CET
Venue: OSC Metalist (Kharkiv).

With Benfica struggling to get things going in their recent outings, it looks like Shakhtar Donetsk are about to get off to a positive start in their Europa campaign.

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Benfica Head to head (h2h)

• The two sides have previously met each other twice, the last of which finished in a 2-1 win for Benfica.
• Their only other clash witnessed Shakhtar Donetsk pick up a 1-0 win.

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Benfica Prediction

Shakthar Donetsk slumped to the Europa League after they came in third behind Atalanta in the group stages of the Champions League. The hosts finished with eight points to their name, which was just one fewer than the team above them.

Nevertheless, it is certainly worth mentioning that the home team have been faring well in their campaign overall this season. At the moment, Shakhtar are at the top of the ladder back in the Ukrainian Premier League with a solid ten-point advantage over their nearest foe.

On the other hand, Benfica took their leave from the Champions League after failing to make it into the top two in Group G. Furthermore, to be frank, the visitors only just managed to scrape through to the Europa League.

They were, in fact, level on points with fourth-placed Zenit, and were handed the ticket to Europa, only on goal difference.

To make matters worse, the guests have been a nervous bunch on the road. The Portuguese outfit are winless in their past two outings. And have not come out on top in their any of their previous three trips across Europe as well.

In sharp contrast, Shakhtar have stumbled just once in their domestic clashes here this season. Taking into account that they have also secured the bragging-rights in three of their previous four games at home, the tag of favorites goes to Shakhtar in this one.

However, the hosts were at the losing end of a 2-1 scorecard when they last met this foe here. Considering that Benfica have also shared the spoils in four of their past nine outings, it will be safer to back a double chance this week.

Additionally, Benfica have been consistent in getting their names on the scoresheet, in their outings this term. Meanwhile, Shakhtar Donetsk failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their Champions League group stage clashes here.

Given that both teams also found the back of the net together in their last h2h meeting at this venue, expect the two sides to have their scoring boots on come Thursday as well.

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Benfica Betting tips

• Double chance: Shakhtar Donetsk or Draw @ 1.40 (2/5)

• Both teams to score @ 1.75 (3/4).