Genk vs Shakhtar Donetsk Predictions

• Genk have conceded eight goals in three games so far this season.
• Shakhtar won at Real Madrid and drew away with Inter Milan last season.
• Shakhtar have won both of their domestic league games this season.

Shakhtar should justify favouritism against Genk

Shakhtar Donetsk travel to Belgium on Tuesday to play an out-of-sorts Genk in the Champions League third qualifying round.

Roberto de Zerbi’s side couldn’t have picked a better time to play Blauw-Wit because John van den Brom’s side are set to be without want-away striker Paul Onuachu.

The Nigerian, who hit 33 goals in 38 league games last season, has been sulking about not yet getting a transfer and told his coach he wasn’t able to play at the weekend.

Without him, Genk lost 4-3 at home to a KV Oostende side that had lost 3-0 at home to Sporting Charleroi the week before.

Shakhtar’s new signings appear to be integrating well with ex-Corinthians star Pedrinho on the scoresheet in a 3-0 win at Lviv.

But with Mateus Tete and Manor Solomon, two stars of last season’s win at Real Madrid, holding down the wide roles, the Brazilian may have to stay on the bench.

The Ukrainian side have strengthened at the back too with Brazilian central defender Marlon following De Zerbi from Sassuolo in the summer.

So with Shakhtar looking strong and Genk in some turmoil we are siding with an away win here and taking the visitors to come away with a 2-1 win because of De Zerbi’s reputation as a coach whose defences have always tended to leak goals.

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