The UEFA Europa Conference League returns with a fresh set of fixtures as Shakhtar Donetsk and Rijeka square off at the Henryk Reyman Stadium on Thursday. Both sides head into the game in fine form, with Rijeka winning their last three games while the hosts are unbeaten in nine consecutive matches.
Shakhtar Donetsk turned in a five-star display last Sunday when they cruised to a 5-0 victory over Epicentr Dunaivtsi in their Ukrainian Premier League clash at the Arena Lviv.
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Arda Turan’s men, who are currently second in the Premier League table, now turn their focus to the Conference League, where they have won four of their five matches so far, with a 2-1 loss against Legia Warsaw on October 23 being the exception.
With 12 points from a possible 15, Shakhtar Donetsk are currently second in the Conference League standings, one point behind Ligue 1 side Strasbourg at the top of the pile.
On the other hand, Rijeka’s Croatia HNL tie against Istra was abandoned at half time with the scores at 1-1 due to deteriorating weather conditions at the Stadion Aldo Drosina last weekend.
Victor Sanchez’s side had won each of their previous three games, including a 3-0 victory over Celje in the Conference League on December 11 and a 3-1 against Vukovar in HNL, where they sit sixth in the league table with 21 points from 16 matches.
Rijeka have picked up eight points from a possible 15 in the Conference League to sit 14th in the standings, but they could move level with third-placed Rakow, if they win on Thursday.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Rijeka Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- This will be the first-ever meeting between Shakhtar Donetsk and Rijeka, who will both be looking to begin their head-to-head record on a positive note.
- Rijeka are on a run of six consecutive games without defeat across all competitions, claiming four wins and two draws since November’s 1-0 defeat against Varazdin.
- Shakhtar are unbeaten in six of their seven Conference League games, including matches in the qualifiers, claiming five wins and one draw so far.
- Rijeka have failed to win five of their most recent six matches on the road, losing twice and claiming three draws since October 18.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Rijeka Prediction
Shakhtar and Rijeka head into Thursday’s tie in fine form and we anticipate an end-to-end affair at the Henryk Reyman Stadium. Turan’s men boast a superior and more experienced squad on paper, and we are tipping them to secure the win, albeit by a narrow margin.
Prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Rijeka
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Rijeka Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – Shakhtar to win
Tip 2: First to score – Shakhtar (Turan’s men have opened the scoring in eight of their last 10 matches)
Tip 3: Over 2.5 goals – Yes (There have also been at least three goals scored in five of Shakhtar’s last seven games)
Edited by Nived Zenith
