Shakhtar Donetsk vs Besiktas Prediction: Goals galore as Ole targets comeback

Shakhtar Donetsk put in a superb display to secure a 4-2 first-leg win over Besiktas, and now they head to the Reymana Stadium, Krakow, for their nominal home fixture. This one takes place at 19:00 BST on Thursday night, as the two giants battle it out for a place in the next qualifying round. 

Below you can find my Shakhtar Donetsk vs Besiktas predictions. 

Team News

It could be an unchanged XI for Shakhtar after they impressively scored four in Turkey and Alisson Santana will be one to watch again in an attacking sense. He’s scored three and got five assists in just two Champions League appearances so far, while Marlon is back at the club but unlikely to feature. 

Kevin scored twice in leg one and will start on the left, while fellow Brazilian Eguinaldo will start up top having registered a goal and an assist. If goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk can keep a clean sheet then Shakhtar will progress, as Arda Turan looks to guide his side to the group phase. 

Football Fixtures

Orkun Kokcu joined Besiktas from Benfica last week and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will use in the number 10 role behind Tammy Abraham. Fellow Englishman Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains out injured so former Norwich winger Milot Rashica will start on the right, with Rafa Silva on the left. 

Joao Mario scored off the bench and will hope for further minutes while Gedson Fernandes will play in midfield once more. 36-year-old goalkeeper Mert Gunok will hope for a better performance than he put in during the first leg, with Ersin Destanoglu another option to play in goal for the visitors. 

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Besiktas Odds

Shakhtar are priced at 21/20 to win this game, with Besiktas available at 9/5. That gives the Ukranians an implied win probability of 49% for this second leg, although they will progress with a one-goal defeat. 

Over 2.5 goals is 1/2 having come in during the first leg, BTTS is the same price while the Turkish outfit are 11/2 to win to nil.

Draw and BTTS @ 7/2

I don’t think there is much to choose between these two teams and the underlying data showed that from the first leg. Although Shakhtar’s 4-2 win was eye-catching, Besiktas has six shots on target to their five, and the home side edged the xG, 1.67 to 1.59.

I think on neutral ground, we will see another entertaining but very even game unfold. Plus, we have to take into account the fact that Shakhtar have a couple of goals advantage and that a draw will be an excellent result for them, and see them into the next round. I’m happy to back a draw and both teams to score based upon what we saw in Istanbul.

Bet Builder - Tammy Abraham and Alisson Santana to score @ 7/1

Let’s round this off with a Bet Builder, and given I’m expecting goals again, let’s play things with a straight bat and just back two goalscorers to find the net. We all know about the goalscoring capabilities of Tammy Abraham from his time in England, but he is seemingly still struggling to find a home.

His move to Roma started well but last season he was loaned to AC Milan and now he finds himself in Turkey. Solskjaer will be hoping to get the best out of the former Chelsea man and I think he can get off the mark for his new club in this one, especially given that they need two goals to stay alive in the competition. Meanwhile, Alisson Santana has been in wonderful form this term scoring three goals already in just two Champions League appearances. Let’s back him to find the net as well. 

Offers

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