Shakhtar v Celtic predictions: Efficient hosts may have been underestimated

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Shakhtar Donetsk v Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 4, 5.45pm Wednesday

Best bet

Shakhtar Donetsk draw no bet
1pt 13-10 BoyleSports

Team news

Shakhtar Donetsk
Shakhtar remain without full-back Viktor Kornienko so head coach Igor Jovicevic is likely to name the same side that beat Leipzig.

Celtic
The Bhoys remain without Yosuke Ideguchi and Carl Starfelt.

Match preview

Shakhtar Donetsk delivered the biggest surprise on matchday one with their emphatic 4-1 victory at Leipzig and the Ukranians may have been underestimated again in their clash with Celtic.

Shakhtar belied odds of 12-1 in Germany and although this home game is to be played on neutral soil in Warsaw, there is still a lot to like about their prospects.

Igor Jovicevic saw lots of key personnel depart over the summer with most of their Brazilian-born players seeking moves elsewhere in Europe.

But it doesn’t appear to have affected them on the pitch and last Tuesday’s victory at the Red Bull Arena highlighted a togetherness that makes them dangerous opponents.

That may also explain why they have taken ten points from their first four league games and they are sure to cause plenty of problems for Celtic, particularly when picking their chances on the counter-attack.

Shakhtar were extremely efficient against Leipzig, scoring four goals from as many shots on target, and the Bhoys will need to be wary when the hosts opt to hit their opponents on the break.

Celtic should too be in confident spirits after winning their opening six games in the Scottish Premiership and there were signs of encouragement in last week’s 3-0 defeat at home to European champions Real Madrid.

However, Ange Postecoglou’s side have been sweeping aside weak opposition in Scotland and have to show they can cut it at this level having won only one of their last seven Champions League contests.

Key stat

Celtic have lost their last five Champions League group-stage matches.

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