Shakhtar Donetsk vs Rijeka: Possession vs Organization, 34 Unbeaten in 40 Home Games vs 10 Unbeaten in 12 Games

In the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage Round 6, Shakhtar Donetsk hosts Rijeka on December 18th. 2nd-placed Shakhtar (12 points) vs 14th-placed Rijeka (8 points). Both teams are on unbeaten streaks, but their styles are completely different.

Shakhtar Donetsk (2nd)

• ●5 Matches: 4 Wins 0 Draws 1 Loss
• ●Goals For/Against: 10 Goals Scored 5 Goals Conceded
• ●Goal Difference: +5
• ●Points: 12 Points
• ●Average Per Match: 2 Goals Scored / 1 Goal Conceded

Rijeka (14th)

• ●5 Matches: 2 Wins 2 Draws 1 Loss
• ●Goals For/Against: 5 Goals Scored 2 Goals Conceded
• ●Goal Difference: +3
• ●Points: 8 Points
• ●Average Per Match: 1 Goal Scored / 0.4 Goals Conceded

Shakhtar is aggressive, and Rijeka is defensive. It's a battle of scoring ability vs defensive strength.

Shakhtar Donetsk's 9-Game Unbeaten Streak

They are on a 9-game unbeaten streak. They are a really hot team.

Recent 6 Games: 4 Wins 2 Draws

• ●Average Per Match: 2.83 Goals Scored / 0.5 Goals Conceded
• ●Possession: 67.67% (Dominant!)
• ●Shots on Target: 6.83

They are even stronger at home:

• ●Recent 3 Home Games: 2 Wins 1 Draw
• ●Average Per Match: 4.67 Goals Scored!
• ●Shots on Target: 7.33
• ●Possession: 69.67%

Long-term Record:

• ●Recent 30 Games Overall: 27 Unbeaten Games (90%)
• ●Recent 40 Home Games: 85% Unbeaten (34 Games)
• ●50% of Recent 12 Home Wins are by 2+ Goals (6 Games)

Rijeka's Unbeaten Run

They have recorded 4 Wins and 2 Draws in their recent 6 games. They are scoring 2.67 goals and conceding only 0.5 goals per game. Their defense is solid.

Possession: 41.33% (Low but efficient) Shots on Target: 5.17

They are on a 3-game winning streak, and all of them were wins by 2+ goals!

Long-term Record:

• ●Recent 12 Games Overall: 10 Unbeaten Games (83%)

Conference League Defense:

• ●Only 2 Goals Conceded in 5 Games (0.4 Goals Conceded Per Game!)

However, away games are a concern:

• ●Recent 6 Away Games: 5 Winless Games (83%)
• ●50% are Draws (3 Games)

Shakhtar Donetsk's 4-1-4-1

Coach Pusnic's team dominates possession. Traore is responsible for scoring at the forefront, and Fernando and Palmares attack from the flanks.

Ochereko, Kriskiv, and Pedrinho control the midfield, and Matvienko and Gram lead the defense. Their firepower, scoring 4.67 goals per game at home, is their weapon.

Rijeka's 4-2-3-1

Coach Radoslav Latal's team is organized. Juric is in charge of finishing at the forefront, and Fruk and Menalo aim for counterattacks from the flanks.

Dantas and Jankovic guard the midfield, and Radeljic and Maistorovic lead the defense. Their solid defense, conceding only 2 goals in 5 Conference League games, is their weapon.

1. Shakhtar's Home Attacking Power

They are scoring 4.67 goals per game at home. 7.33 shots on target is truly overwhelming. Can they break through Rijeka's solid defense (0.4 goals conceded per game)?

2. Rijeka's Defensive Organization

They have only conceded 2 goals in 5 Conference League games. 0.4 goals conceded per game is top-level in the league. Can they stop Shakhtar's home firepower?

3. Possession vs Counterattack

Shakhtar dominates the game with 67.67% possession, and Rijeka aims for counterattacks with 41.33%. Which style will win?

analysis Probability:

• ●Shakhtar Win: 58%
• ●Expected Score: 2-0

The algorithm is predicting a clear victory for Shakhtar. Home firepower and their unbeaten streak are decisive factors. Rijeka's defensive strength is good, but it will be difficult to stop Shakhtar's home attack.

Shakhtar Donetsk (4-1-4-1)

• ●GK: Pysun
• ●DF: Tobias, Matvienko, Gram, Azarovi
• ●MF: Ochereko
• ●AM: Kriskiv, Pedrinho, Fernando, Palmares
• ●FW: Traore

Rijeka (4-2-3-1)

• ●GK: Zlomislic
• ●DF: Orec, Radeljic, Maistorovic, Debetak
• ●MF: Dantas, Jankovic
• ●AM: Goyak, Fruk, Menalo
• ●FW: Juric

Shakhtar is likely to win. They are on a 9-game unbeaten streak and are scoring 4.67 goals per game at home. Rijeka's defense is solid (0.4 goals conceded per Conference League game), but it will be really difficult to stop Shakhtar's home firepower.

The expected score is 2-0 Shakhtar win. It's a scenario where Shakhtar dominates possession and decides the match with 2 goals. Rijeka's solid defense will minimize the goals, but it's difficult to completely stop Shakhtar's attack.

Shakhtar is unbeaten in 34 of their last 40 home games. They overwhelm the game with 69.67% possession and 7.33 shots on target. It will not be easy for Rijeka to hold out away from home.

Rijeka is on a 3-game winning streak and all of them were wins by 2+ goals. However, they haven't won 5 of their last 6 away games. It will be really difficult to win at Shakhtar's home.

It will likely be a low-scoring game. Rijeka boasts a solid defense conceding 0.4 goals per game in the Conference League. It will be difficult for Shakhtar to score a lot of goals, but about 2 goals seem possible.

If Shakhtar wins, they can almost confirm their advancement to the Round of 16 with 5 wins and 1 loss in the Conference League. Even if Rijeka only manages a draw, they can increase their chances of advancing from the group stage.