Our prediction for this Ukraine Premier League match:
Kolos Kovalicka
Match Time & Date:
13/06/2020
10:00 AM
Prediction: 1-2
Shakhtar Donetsk
Kolos and Shakhtar Donetsk face each other in a David vs Goliath clash at Obolon’ Arena. Kolos continue where they left before the coronavirus football break, with the team suffering back-to-back losses to the likes of Desna and Zorya in the previous two league fixtures. The rock-bottom side have nothing to play for in Sunday’s football match, and, to make things even worse for the hosts, Oleh Kozhushko misses the game through suspension.
Shakhtar Donetsk, on the other hand, aim to put icing on the cake on yet another successful season. The Miners head into the match following back-to-back wins over Dynamo Kiev and Desna, and given their attacking potential, we predict that the title holders are going to give fans yet another reason for celebration. Marlos scored a brace in the 3-2 win over Desna, meaning that the opposition defenders should have him at bay.
Highlighted Player (Yevgen Konoplyanka):
Arguably the most talented footballer to have worn the Ukraine jersey since Yevgen Shevchenko, Yevhen Konoplyanka is a creative midfielder who can play on either wing as well as through the middle. The talented footballer started attracting interest from abroad soon after coming through the youth ranks at Dnipro, but he resisted temptation to join a top European club and waited for his contract to expire before signing a four-year deal with Europa League holders Sevilla.
As expected, Konplyanka quickly proved his worth at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, scoring important goals in La Liga and Europe during his debut season. Together with Andriy Yarmolenko, he has formed one of the best wing partnerships in international football, scoring 11 goals in his first 50 appearances for the national team.
After starting all three games at the Euro 2012 on home soil, Konoplyanka helped Zbirna qualify for the Euro 2016 finals, netting two times in eleven qualifiers as Ukraine defeated Slovenia in the play-offs.
Highlighted Team (Shakhtar Donetsk):
Despite the fact that they were founded back in 1936, Shakhtar Donetsk were struggling to win the Ukrainian Premier League trophy until 2002. The Miners have established themselves as the dominant force in Ukrainian football and it has to be noted that they won their ninth domestic trophy in 2014.
Shakhtar Donetsk were playing at Donbass Arena in the past, but due to war in Donbass the club temporarily moved to Arena Lviv. In 2009 the Miners won the UEFA Cup trophy under Romanian boss Mircea Lucescu, beating Werder Bremen in the title game. Croatian full back Dario Srna was named the man of the match. Dynamo Kiev are considered Shakhtar Donetsk’s main rivals and there have always been fireworks in meetings between the two sides.
Shakhtar have a rivalry with Metalurh Donetsk as well and the two local rivals face each other in the Donetsk Derby. Chelsea ace Willian, Manchester United star Mkhitaryan and Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho all played for Shakhtar in the past.
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