TSG Hoffenheim vs Shakhtar Donetsk Predictions

Ever since the Champions League group stages were drawn this group has stood out as one that has the potential for a very tight race. Manchester City were unsurprisingly the standout favourites in Group F, but the 3 other teams all look remarkably well matched on paper. Now, after 4 group stage matches have been played, the door is still wide open for all of these clubs to claim a spot in the knockout rounds.

Lyon are the frontrunners at the moment with 6 points from their opening 4 matches, but they are only 3 ahead of Hoffenheim and 4 ahead of Shakhtar and face the prospect of playing against Manchester City this week. Their 3 point advantage is largely thanks to their shock win over them on matchday 1, but The Citizens are unlikely to make those same mistakes again when they face off.

Hoffenheim are the favourites to make a challenge on Lyon above them. Should Lyon lose on Tuesday, A Hoffenheim win would take them level on points with the French giants. Should they manage to qualify for the knockout stages in their first ever Champions League season it would be a huge success.

So far the small Bundesliga hopefuls haven’t really found their winning spirit. They have drawn 3 of their 4 matches and only narrowly lost the other one to Manchester City, but they will be hoping for better this time around as they face a Shakhtar Donetsk side reeling from their thrashing at the Etihad last time out.

The Ukrainian visitors are also without a win so far, taking a point apiece from Lyon and Hoffenheim to leave them 4 points off the qualifying spots. However, their last outing was a 6-0 demolition at the hands of Manchester City, putting them at a severe disadvantage in terms of goal difference.

One thing we can expect on Tuesday is a potential glut of goals. Both Hoffenheim and Shakhtar Donetsk have seen a total of 17 goals in their 4 Champions League group games so far, with both sides also seeing 3 of their 4 group matches end with at least 4 goals being scored.

Hoffenheim have seen at least 4 goals in 6 of their last 8 matches in all competitions as well, and considering both them and Shakhtar have seen 2 of their 4 Champions League group games end 2-2 we think backing Over 3.5 Goals along with a 2-2 correct score predictions looks the best option here.