Shakhtar Donetsk vs Ilves Prediction & Tips
Shakhtar are 15-time Ukrainian champions and, in recent years, have dominated the local Premier League and participated in the Champions League. However, last season was their most disappointing in recent times, finishing only in third place. The Donetsk side only booked their ticket to the Europa League by winning the Ukrainian Cup, where they beat Dynamo Kiev on penalties.
Ilves is a modest Finnish club that finished third in the local league last season. For the Tampere-based club, this is a great achievement, having made only four appearances in European competition so far this century. However, Ilves have never managed a win in the Europa League.
Unlike Shakhtar, the ‘lynxes’ have a competitive rhythm, as in Finland the season is played from spring to autumn. After 15 rounds, Ilves are in third place and the gap to leaders Inter Turku is only one point. In their last match, Ilves drew away against SJK and, before that, beat KTP at home (2:1).
