The Europa is back this Thursday, and with it brings Forebet's analysis, data and football predictions by using all the latest trends and mathematics across the continent.
Up next in this playoffs battle before the round of 16 commences is two sides sitting in very unusual spots on the domestic front, as Shakhtar Donetsk meets with Marseille at Volksparkstadion.
These two will clash twice to see who is in there for the round of 16 draw.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 #UEL 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀 👊⠀🔜 #ShakhtarOMpic.twitter.com/LSDKfyuOLF— Olympique de Marseille 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@OM_English) February 13, 2024
𝗧𝗵𝗲 #UEL 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀 👊⠀🔜 #ShakhtarOMpic.twitter.com/LSDKfyuOLF
This will also be just the third time these two teams have clashed in a European competition, as the first two came back in April 2009 where Shakhtar won both legs (2-0 at home, 2-1 away).
Back then, it was a UEFA Cup 2008/09 two-legged battle that saw the Ukrainian side go all the way and win the competition.
What's more, this is also part of Marseille failing to win any over their previous five matches against Ukrainian opposition after defeating DC Dnipro 1-0 in the UEFA Cup of 2003/04.
The French side have since gone on to lose to Shakhtar twice and also draw with three other Ukrainian opponents.
Despite the advantages down the years, the form doesn't look too good right now for Shakhtar.
They have conceded a whopping 16 goals across their last six Europa League matches and have tallied up a ratio of 2.7 goals let in per games within this period. On the other hand, they have never conceded in seven consecutive games in Europe.
Back on the domestic front, Shkahtar are unusually sitting down in fourth with them winning nine of the 15 games so far. On the other hand, they are just three points adrift of top spot and have two games in hand to play on the three teams above them.
However, with the ongoing issues in Ukraine right now, the league campaign has been paused for many months, and this also means just six games have been played in friendlies in 2024.
Shakhtar have managed to beat Lech Poznan, Pyunik and Arkadag in this period, losing to Hradec Karlove and Velez before a recent draw against Lechia Gdansk.
Marseille are sitting down in eight in Ligue 1 and are now winless in the past five games since beating Thionville Lusitanos in the French Cup round of 64. The club are now down in eighth in the league as a result.
Forebet predicts a win for Shakhtar and under 2.5 goals in the game.