This week will see the Matchday 2 fixtures being played in the Champions League and Wednesday evening features this upcoming clash in Group F between Shakhtar Donetsk and Celtic with the hosts sitting top of the group and Celtic occupying bottom place.
Ukrainian hosts, Shakhtar Donetsk, started their Champions League campaign in emphatic fashion by recording a comprehensive 4-1 win away from home at German club, RB Leipzig, and that result has helped lift Shakhtar to the top of the group prior to Matchday 2.
Shakhtar are in Warsaw!👀 Attention to the @ChampionsLeague match vs Celtic!#ShakhtarCeltic | #Shakhtar #UCL pic.twitter.com/L5275LUPFo— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) September 12, 2022
Shakhtar are in Warsaw!👀 Attention to the @ChampionsLeague match vs Celtic!#ShakhtarCeltic | #Shakhtar #UCL pic.twitter.com/L5275LUPFo
Having also registered three wins on the trot in their domestic Premier League with victories against Kryvbas, Rukh Vynnky and Chornomorets along with last week’s Champions League win in Germany, Shakhtar Donetsk will be seeking a fifth win on the trot in all competitions on Wednesday night.
However, results at home at Champions League level have left a lot to be desired where Shakhtar have been concerned as the hosts have managed to win just two of their last 14 ties which were against Real Madrid and Genk.
But they’ve also slipped to five defeats and seven draws, and their home games will be played in Warsaw (Poland).
Celtic’s impressive winning streak in all competitions under manager, Ange Postecoglou, was brought to an abrupt end last week when they were a dealt a heavy 3-0 defeat at Celtic Park by Real Madrid.
The Scottish visitors now face a tricky outing to Warsaw for this Matchday 2 clash against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Celtic had previously strung together an excellent eight-match winning streak which included a 4-0 romp at home against their Old Firm rivals, Rangers, just before their Matchday 1 loss to Real Madrid.
The Scottish visitors will certainly be keen to produce a much better showing on Wednesday night in Warsaw and it may help The Bhoys that the game won’t be played in Kyiv as home support would be noisy and very vocal!
Celtic have won just one of their last seven ties overall at Champions League level but results away from home have been fairly encouraging in recent times as the visitors have lost just twice in their last seven outings on the road, and one of those was an extra-time loss at Danish side, Midtjylland, last season.
Both Shakhtar Donetsk and Celtic are attacking sides and capable of producing goals, so the over 2.5 goals market looks promising here.