Wolfsburg vs Shakhtar Donetsk Predictions

• Shakhtar are without a clean sheet in UEFA competition this season. They’ve shipped an average of 2.12.
• Both teams have scored in six of Shakhtar’s eight UEFA (UCL & UEL) matches this season. Seven of those eight saw at least three match goals go in.
• Both teams have scored in three of Wolfsburg’s four home matches in the Europa League this season.

Wolfsburg ticking along nicely

Thursday’s hosts didn’t exactly smash the groups to pieces, drawing two and losing one after beating Oleksandria on match-day one, but they’ve certainly come into their own since. Wolfsburg progressed to the knockouts thanks to two final wins in Group I, keeping a clean sheet against both Oleksandria and St. Etienne in the process.

In addition to coming into their own towards the end of the groups, Wolfsburg made light work of beating Malmo in the previous round, scoring five and conceding just once in the process. They’ve now conceded just a single goal in their last four UEL matches. Then again, they’ve conceded in three out of four at home in this competition, which doesn’t exactly bode well ahead of a game against a Shakhtar side that has plenty to offer offensively.

Dodgy defence a worry

Shakhtar are a very capable side when it comes to the Europa League; they play attacking football, create chances and have no shortage of forward players that can give defences a tough time. However, they remain a side that is there for the taking thanks to a weak backline, which seems to get weaker away from home. Their attack just about dragged them through the previous round, though the fact that they conceded four goals, three of which came away from home, doesn’t exactly bode well.

Being involved in high-scoring games is something of a speciality for Shakhtar on the continent. Before being eliminated from the Champions League groups, the Ukrainians saw three goals scored in five of their six matches, four of which they both scored and conceded in, while 3+ goals were scored both home and away against Benfica in the previous round of this competition.

Goals on the cards

Given what we’ve seen from this pair in Europe this season, ‘Over 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score’ makes lots of appeal in the betting. Wolfsburg are averaging 1.75 goals for at home in Europe this season. Shakhtar are averaging 2.25 for. Three or more goals have been scored in three out of four of Wolfsburg’s home matches, as well as in three of Shakhtar’s four away games. Both teams have scored in seven of those eight matches. In their respective home and away games, the pair have conceded a combined average 3.25. Keeping all of this in mind, a 2-2 ‘Correct Score’ also appeals.