Shakhtar Donetsk vs Bayern Munich Prediction: Jamal to be the visitors’ Muse

Shakhtar Donetsk know time is running out to put points on the board and for them to make it into the Uefa Champions League play-offs stage. They are two points and two places off the pace at the moment and next up for them is a clash with Bayern Munich in Gelsenkirchen on Tuesday (20:00, TNT Sports 5).

The Ukrainian side have won just one of their five games so far, while Bayern have won three, with two of them coming in their last appearances against Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica. Read on for my Shakhtar Donetsk vs Bayern Munich prediction, featuring the latest team news and match odds.

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Bayern Munich Odds

Shakhtar are 14/1 to come away with the victory, which gives them a theoretical chance of 6.7%. Bayern Munich are valued at 1/8 to take the three points, which they have managed three times in Germany already. The draw is on offer at 11/2 (15.4%), having struck in one of Shakhtar's European encounters already this term.

Both teams to score has been a winning selection in two of Bayern's Champions League matches thus far, can be backed at 6/5. Over 2.5 goals has struck in three of Shakhtar's European results so far, and it is priced at 2/5 for Tuesday.

Football Odds

Team News

Shakhtar boss Marino Pusic has to contend with two suspensions heading into this fixture, with Pedro Henrique and Pedrinho unable to face the German giants.

With the latter missing, Oleksandr Zubkov, Danylo Sikan and Kevin looks likely to be the front three for the Ukrainian outfit at the Veltins-Arena. Zubkov has already netted twice in the Champions League this season, while Sikan has one for himself in the competition.

We could see a back four of Irakli Azarovi, Mykola Matviyenko, Valeriy Bondar and Yukhym Konoplia line up to protect goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk. It's a task they would be well to be nervous for because of the attacking talent their opponents possess.

The German side have a few injuries to deal with their own, including their top scorer Harry Kane, who has five goals already in this competition. The England captain is joined in the treatment room by Kingsley Coman, Alphonso Davies, Manuel Neuer, Hiroki Ito, Joao Palhinha and Josip Stanisic.

Serge Gnabry is another doubt having missed the last few games with a knee problem.

Kim Min-jae and Dayot Upamecano should continue their partnership in the heart of defence, while Vincent Kompany could slip in Sacha Boey and Raphael Guerreiro to support them as the full-backs.

This back four will be tasked with protecting either Daniel Peretz or Sven Ulreich in the Bayern goal. The latter was between the sticks in the 9-2 thriller with Dinamo Zagreb on matchday one, so he might hold the edge over the former for this one.

Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretszka could form a midfield duo for this one, although Konrad Laimer could be freed up if he is relinquished from the makeshift right-back role he was given on his last start against Bayer Leverkusen.

Thomas Muller could be handed a rare start up top in Kane's absence. The last Champions League game he started was the 4-1 defeat at Barcelona back in October. I would think that if he leads the line, he will be supported by Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise to complete the attacking quartet.

Bayern Munich and both teams to score @ 7/4

Bayern have already had some good days in Europe this season, but they've also had some bad days too. They will be feeling confident heading into this one after winning their last two matches against PSG and Benfica.

The German side have also won nine of their last 12 in all competitions, so they have been showing that they are still able to get results with some of their key players missing.

Bayern fired four past Heidenheim without Kane at the weekend, so the attackers that are available will be feeling positive heading to Gelsenkirchen for this European clash. They will also be feeling confident by seeing that Shakhtar have won just one of their five matches to date.

That win may have only came against bottom side Young Boys, but the Ukrainian side certainly provided a challenge to Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven. They limited the Gunners to a solo goal, while they got on the scoresheet twice against the Dutch side.

With a few injuries to Bayern's ranks, despite them still having more than enough quality to put this game to bed, I sense that Shakhtar could have a few attacking opportunities.

They will be coming up against a goalkeeper who has barely featured this season when Neuer's been fit, and a couple changes to the back four could put the defensive line out of synch.

Even without striker Kane, though, Kompany has a lot of attacking quality in Musiala, Sane and Olise, and I could see this trio having a profitable evening in west Germany. I think there's value to be had in backing a Bayern win with both teams to score.

Jamal Musiala anytime goalscorer @ 11/10

Someone who is stepping up in Kane's absence is Musiala. The German international has three goals in his last two matches in the Bundesliga, with a brace coming against Heidenheim at the weekend.

Musiala was also the match-winner in the victory over Benfica last month. He is looking sharp at the moment and when he is in this kind of mood, he's not the person you'd want to be tasked with keeping quiet out on the pitch.

I think Shakhtar's defenders are going to be in for an eventful evening trying to snuff out his threat. Musiala has been at the heart of everything in recent games and has been rewarded from it, so I think his hot streak in front of goal can continue here.

Offers

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