3 TIPS for Shakthar Donetsk – Roma

One of the most Brazilian European clubs, Ukraine’s Shakthar Donetsk, hosts Roma on Wednesday, February 21 at the Metalist stadium in Kharkiv. Scheduled to start at 16:45 (CET), the match closes the first leg of the round of 16 of the European Champions League.
The return game is scheduled for March 13. Whoever adds more points in the duels will advance to the quarterfinals. If there is a tie, criteria such as goal balance and the greater number of goals scored as visitors can be used to define the survivor.

The recent performance of Shakthar Donetsk

With seven Brazilian athletes in their squad, Shakthar, due to the conflicts in their region, can not compete in European tournaments in their stadium. Still, they managed to eliminate favorite Napoli in the first phase of the Europa League winning, with 12 points (four victories and two defeats), the second place of the group F, that had the City (15) like champion.
The good phase is replicated in the Ukrainian Championship. On Friday, February 16, at home, thrashed Odessa by 5 to 0 maintaining the lead and the advantage of three points in comparison with Dynamo Kiev, runner-up. He has accumulated 45 points (14 wins, three draws and three losses).
It was his first official match of the season. The team did not play a game worth three points since December 10, when the Ukrainian tournaments are interrupted due to the strong winter that hits the country. In 2018, before Saturday’s clash, Shakthar had made just six friendlies. He won two, drew one and lost three.
For the confrontation of Wednesday, the Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca has only one embezzlement, but quite important. Defender Dario Srna (eight matches in the 2017/2018 Ukrainian Championship without a goal) is suspended for being taken on an anti-doping test for illegal substance use. Team captain, the veteran 35-year-old, holds the record for most appearances for Croatia (134 matches) and still does not know when he will be released to return to action.

The current form of Rome

Roma went on to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League by taking first place in Group C. It added 11 points (three wins, two draws and a loss), the same number for Chelsea, but took advantage when breaking criteria.
After reaching that goal, however, it dropped significantly from production. He did not get a victory even between December 20 and January 28. There were seven matches (three draws and four losses) in the period.
The approaching date of resumption of the tournament of the continental tournament seems to have linked the alert signal to the Roman team, who has a sequence of three successes. He beat Verona (1-0, away), Benevento (5-2, home) and Udinese (2-0, away).
The results are not as significant since the first two opponents are in the relegation zone of the Italian League and the Udine team is parked in the middle of the leaderboard. It was enough, however, to take Roma to third place in Serie A. The capital’s team had 50 points (15 wins, 5 draws and 5 losses).
They also gave some peace of mind to coach Eusebio di Francesco, who has received much criticism from both fans and the press. For the first game of the octaves of the Champions League, there are all the most important athletes of the cast available. Next in the infirmary is defender Rick Karsdorp (a match in the 2017/2018 Italian Championship without a goal) and midfielder Maxime Gonalons (seven games, no goal).

History of the games between Shakthar Donetsk and Roma

The teams have already met four times in the Champions League. The first two were in the group stage of the 2006/2007 season. Those who acted at home won. A Roma by 4 to 0. Shakhtar by 1 to 0.
The second meeting was already in the knockout phase of the 2010/2011 season. In the first game in Italy, the Ukrainians took the best scoring 3 to 2. Then, they confirmed the classification when they thrashed the Romans 3-0 in Ukraine.

The lack of pace is an obstacle for Shakthar Donetsk, but the Ukrainians face this situation in all seasons. Even so, they have achieved good results in continental tournaments. Playing at home, they are the best option for guess this Wednesday with a price of 2.50 in Bet365. Draw has a return of 3.25 and Roman success paid 2.80 per 1. Quotes were in effect at 10h38 on 2/19/2018.

– Roma win @ 2.80
– DRAW @ 3.25
– Shakthar Donetsk win @ 2.50