Benfica vs Shakhtar Donetsk Predictions

• During the UCL group stages, Benfica and Shakhtar kept one clean sheet between them.
• When the pair met in the first leg a week ago, they shared 11 shots on target.
• Three or more goals were scored in all but one of Benfica and Shakhtar’s combined UCL group matches.

Hosts out of form

Benfica’s loss in Ukraine marked four games without a win for Thursday’s hosts, who’ve lost three of their last four. Fortunately, the Portuguese club come into this second leg with just a single-goal deficit to overturn.

On balance, Benfica were perhaps unfortunate to lose in Donetsk, as they created just as much as their hosts, though when in good position, they failed to come up with the same level of end-product, which is something that will need to change on Thursday. Something else that needs to change ASAP is Benfica’s rickety defence, which continues to leak goals. Thursday’s hosts have conceded in five of their last six, while they’ve failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last six in front of a home crowd.

Solid Shakhtar

While Benfica have been having defensive issues, Shakhtar have done a more than reasonable job of keeping teams quiet, conceding in just one of their last four. However, despite emerging victorious, they didn’t look overly secure in the reverse of this fixture. They conceded just a single goal down to a lack of end-product from their opponents rather than their own solidity.

In fact, their defensive efforts in Ukraine are cause for concern ahead of Thursday’s match in Lisbon. During the Champions League group stages, like Benfica, Shakhtar struggled tremendously to keep teams at bay, conceding 13 goals in six matches. They did at least get competitive offensively, especially away from home, where they scored six times, notching against Man City, Atalanta and Dinamo Zagreb, so they ought to fancy themselves to make offensive headway on Thursday.

Goals, goals, goals

There really has been no shortage of goals when either Benfica or Shakhtar have taken to the pitch on the continent this season. The goals followed both from the Champions League to this competition, and after the first leg, ‘Over 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score’ stands out. Besides three or more goals being scored in 11 of their 12 combined UCL matches this term, 11 of which saw both teams find the net, the way this tie is set up lends itself to goals being scored. The hosts must do the business offensively having lost on the road, while Shakhtar know the importance of scoring at least one away goal. Combine this with the general soft defensive nature of both and supporting a goal-filled encounter stands out as a best option.