Gent vs Shakhtar Donetsk predictions, betting tips & match preview

Shakhtar showed their class with a 5-0 victory over Gent last time out, that’s left them comfortably top. They moved five points clear of the second placed Belgians with that result, leaving little doubt that they’re going to kick on and finish top.

The Ukrainians can really take control of the group by making it back to back wins over Gent. If they can take all three points back from Belgium, then Shakhtar will have sealed qualification and have basically wrapped up top spot in the group. When you look at their form coming in to this game, it’s hard to back against the visitors here.

Paulo Fonseca has led Shakhtar to top spot in the Ukranian Premier League, while they’re yet to lose a league game this term. They’ve not lost any of their last 17 in all competitions, and they’ve still got a 100% European record after their first three games in this group. It’s hardly surprising that the visitors are favourites here.

Gent have lost four of their last seven games in the league, while they’ve won just 46% of their domestic league matches. They’re sixth after 13 games, and they are already off the Champions League pace. That’s pretty poor for a side who were in the last 16 of that competition earlier this year.

Gent are a shadow of that side now, having gone down 2-0 to KV Mechelen at the weekend. They’ve now shipped 14 goals this term, which looks awful when compared with Shakhtar. The Ukrainian league leaders look like they’re on a completely different level with their stats, they’re absolutely flying at the minute. They’ve let in just one goal in their last nine Premier League or Europa League matches.

Shakhtar have scored 2.7 goals in their Europa League games, while they find the net with 19% of their chances. They’re an incredibly clinical side. That doesn’t bode well for the hosts, who have conceded from 16% of the shots they’ve faced in Europe this season. Judging by their open defence, and poor league record, it’s easy to see Shakhtar making it four wins from four.

We’re backing the visitors to claim another win, they seem like good value at 19/20. They just need one more victory to solidify their place at the top. They’ve won 83% of their away league games this term, and we see them continuing that form in to the Europa League.