Ukrainian Premier League action continues this Sunday as Inhulets prepares to host Shakhtar Donetsk in a crucial matchday 29 fixture at Inhulets Stadium in Petrovo. The May 18 clash kicks off at 17:30 local time with significant implications for both sides as the 2024-2025 season approaches its conclusion.
The hosts find themselves in a precarious 14th position, fighting to avoid direct relegation to the second division. Inhulets has recorded just five victories in 28 matches—the lowest win total in the competition—while struggling offensively with the second-fewest goals scored this season. Following a recent 2:1 victory against Levy Bereg, coach Vasyl Kobin candidly described his team as "more alive than dead," an apt characterization of their current predicament.
Shakhtar Donetsk enters this fixture with renewed confidence after clinching the Ukrainian Cup earlier this week, defeating Dynamo Kyiv in a penalty shootout. Young Brazilian talent Kaua Elias, an expensive acquisition who rarely features, scored Shakhtar's goal in regular time. According to Statbet analysis, despite this trophy success, Shakhtar's domestic league campaign has fallen short of expectations.
Currently, the Donetsk outfit retains only a mathematical chance of securing second place, trailing Alexandria by five points with just two matches remaining. Their slim hopes depend on Alexandria collecting no more than one point from their final fixtures while Shakhtar wins both of theirs.
The historical matchup heavily favors the visitors. Since 2019, the teams have met eight times with Shakhtar victorious on every occasion. Inhulets has managed to score just once across these encounters, back in 2021. The first meeting between these sides this season resulted in a comprehensive 6:0 triumph for Shakhtar.
Betting markets reflect the substantial quality gap between the teams, with odds of 16.50 for an Inhulets win versus just 1.13 for a Shakhtar victory. The match is expected to deliver goals, predominantly from the visitors, as the over 2.5 goals line is available at 1.59.
While Shakhtar may be celebrating their cup success, even a rotated lineup should prove too strong for an Inhulets side that has struggled against top opposition throughout the campaign.
