Shakhtar Donetsk vs Brest Prediction: Zubkov to pose threat for Miners

Shakhtar Donetsk and Brest face off in Gelsenkirchen, Germany on Wednesday (17:45, TNT Sports 9) with the Ukrainian side aware that a defeat inside the Veltins Arena would knock them out of the Uefa Champions League beyond the end of this month. The same can't be said for the French club as Les Pirates are on course to make the knockout rounds and direct entry to the last 16, granted by finishing in the top eight of the 32-team league phase table, is still in sight.

Below is my Shakhtar Donetsk vs Brest prediction, complete with all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Shakhtar Donetsk haven't played a competitive game for over a month owing to the Ukrainian Premier League winter break, so it remains to be seen what kind of condition their players are in ahead of a crunch clash in the Champions League. Marino Pusic's side have played three friendlies this month, though, in a bid to get back up to speed.

There are no injury issues for Pusic to contend with but Brazilian defender Pedro Henrique, who received a straight red card in Shakhtar's 3-2 defeat at PSV Eindhoven on November 27, is still suspended despite missing his side's 5-1 hammering by Bayern Munich on December 10.

Football Odds

In contrast, Brest head coach Eric Roy is missing several first-team members for the trip to Germany. Jordan Amavi (hamstring), Soumaila Coulibaly (groin), Massaido Haidara (calf), Bradley Locko (Achilles) and Jonas Martin (muscle) are all out injured, while Julien Le Cardinal is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards in the competition.

Romain Faivre missed last Saturday's 2-1 win at Rennes through illness, but Roy will be hopeful that the on-loan Bournemouth attacker can at least make the bench on Wednesday.

However, Pierre Lees-Melou (calf) is a doubt.

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Brest Odds

Shakhtar have lost four of their first six league phase matches, only managing to beat whipping boys Young Boys (2-1) - one of three clubs without a point - back on November 11. The Miners, though, are only slight underdogs to claim victory on Wednesday, with odds of 7/4 giving Pusic's charges an implied winning probability of 36.4%, while Brest are slight favourites at 13/8 (38.1%).

The draw, meanwhile, is priced at 23/10, and both teams to score at 8/11.

Shakhtar striker Danylo Sikan, who has scored once in the league phase so far, leads the anytime goalscorer market at 23/10 alongside Brest forward Abdallah Simah, who has three goals in five competition appearances (four starts).

Player to Receive a Card - Ludovic Ajorque (BRE) @ 100/30

Ludovic Ajorque is Brest's leading scorer in Ligue 1 this season with Saturday's goal against Rennes making it six goals in 16 games (14 starts). The on-loan Mainz man is yet to score in the Champions League but he's still made an impact, helping himself to two assists.

Ajorque hasn't been shy to put himself about, either, averaging 1.8 fouls per game and picking up three yellow cards in five appearances to earn himself a one-game ban which he served in Brest's 1-0 win over PSV on December 10.

The 30-year-old has also been booked three times in the French top flight this term, a competition in which he is also averaging 1.8 fouls per game.

The Frenchman looks set to lead the line again for Les Pirates on Wednesday and he's sure to be making his presence known to the Shakhtar defenders. It's a big game for Brest, who can secure a top 24-spot with a draw and make a real push for the top eight by beating Shakhtar. As such, things could get tense, particularly in the latter stages, and if they're winning, Brest may look to break up the game by making a few fouls, and Ajorque is sure to be someone at the front and centre of conceding free-kicks.

At 100/30, I think he's good value to pick up a fourth yellow in six European outings.

Bet Builder - Both Teams to Score (Yes), Alexander Zubkov (SHA) 1+ Shots on Target, Hugo Magnetti (BRE) 2+ Fouls @ 13/2

Both teams to score has landed in half (three) of Shakhtar's and Brest's six league phase matches so far. The Ukrainian side failed to score in the first three but have since beaten Young Boys (2-1) and lost to PSV (3-2) and Bayern (1-5), while Les Pirates are two Champions League matches without it occurring after three of their first four saw both teams score.

Shakhtar are in the goalscoring groove now in Europe and need to win to stand a realistic chance of making the knockout round play-offs, so we should see them take the game to Brest, if not in the opening stages then certainly in the second half if they are not in the lead.

Brest, meanwhile, have won four of their six league phase games and six of their last seven in all competitions so will be confident of overcoming a Shakhtar side that hasn't played a competitive fixture for over a month. Therefore, I think both teams will fancy their chances of scoring and BTTS - Yes takes the first leg of this 13/2 Bet Builder.

Next, I'm backing Shakhtar midfielder Alexander Zubkov to record at least one shot on target, something he has managed in his last three European appearances. The 28-year-old hit the target with two of his seven efforts against Young Boys on November 6, scoring with one before netting in his side's next competition outing against PSV in Eindhoven 21 days later. Zubkov then saw his only shot of the game against Bayern on December 10 saved by Daniel Peretz.

The third and final leg of this Bet Builder requires Brest midfielder Hugo Magnetti to commit at least two fouls. This has been a winning selection in three of his last four European appearances including his last two against PSV and Barcelona. The 26-year-old made three fouls against both sides and recorded the same number against Bayer Leverkusen, averaging 1.8 fouls per game in the league phase.

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