Action continues in Group F of the Champions League this week, with Dutch champions Feyenoord hosting Shakhtar Dontesk, in what is likely to go a long way to deciding who finishes third in the standings. The two teams have registered just three points between them from their opening encounters, making this a difficult match to predict for betting customers. However, with the home side having already suffered a substantial home defeat to Manchester City, the pressure will be on Feyenoord to deliver in front of their home support.
Champions League – De Kuip, Rotterdam – Tuesday 17th October – 19:45 UK Time
Match Preview
With Premier League leaders Manchester City having already put themselves in pole position for qualification to the next stage of the competition, Feyenoord are in desperate need of three points, if they are to have any chance of joining them. However, a win for Shakhtar could significantly apply the pressure to Napoli in second place, with the group still wide open. As a result, the two teams could go all out for what would be a crucial three points, with manager’s Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Paulo Fonseca going head-to-head.
Feyenoord Team News & Form
Having won the Dutch title on the last day of last season, Feyenoord have made a stuttering start to the campaign this time around, losing twice already in the Eredivisie. Two defeats in the Champions League mean that manager van Bronckhorst is under pressure to deliver this time around, with the home side having scored just one goal in such matches. Danish striker Nicolai Jorgensen and fellow forward Jean-Paul Boetius are perhaps the biggest threats for Feneyoord, with former Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Jones set to line up in between the sticks.
Shakhtar Donetsk Team News & Form
The Ukrainian giants have struggled in Europe over recent years, however their recent victory over Napoli showed signs of significant improvement. Fonseca’s men sit level on points with the Italians after two matches, while a fine run of form sees them sitting top of the standings domestically. As usual with Shakthar, a host of Brazilian players help to make up their squad, with Bernard, Detinho and Fred among the star names hoping to enhance their reputation in Rotterdam this week. Meanwhile, Taison is a player always in with a chance of finding the back of the net.
Head to Head
The two teams have never previously met in any competitive fixture, with Shakhtar Donetsk’s trip to Holland this week a completely new venture for the Ukrainian giants. As a result, there are no conclusions to be made in this area when looking to make predictions surrounding this encounter.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Feyenoord are usually a team who perform best in front of their home supporters, with few earning all three points in Rotterdam. As a result, backing them to defeat Shakhtar Donetsk this week is well worth considering, with Paddy Power providing odds of 23/10 in this market. Meanwhile, for those looking to back an away win, the same bookmakers offer odds of 5/4. Finally, with both teams struggling to keep clean sheets this season, betting on both teams scoring is another appealing market, with odds of 4/7 at Ladbrokes.
Top Betting Tip
Our top betting tip for the match is to back the Feyenoord or draw market at Ladbrokes, which can be found at 13/5.