Shakhtar Donetsk vs Benfica Lisbon Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 17/02/2020, 17:02  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 17/02/2020 at 18:02 in Europa League Prediction

Shakhtar Donetsk had a tough draw in the Champions League and failed to make it to the knock-out stages. Now in the Europa League, they host Benfica in the first leg of their last 32 tie. Shakhtar finished behind Manchester City and Atalanta in their group, losing to both of them at home. They will be back in the Champions League next season as they currently lead the Ukranian league by 14 points. They have failed to win their last three games in the Europa League and will find this a difficult task.

Benfica are top of the Portuguese league, a point clear of Porto. They have had a bad week or so with defeats by second placed Porto and Braga who are third. Before that they had gone 17 games without defeat. Benfica also began the season in the Champions League group stages but failed to finish in the top two with RB Leipzig and Lyon qualifying ahead of them. Only one of their last 11 away games have been lost (the defeat at Porto) and a double chance bet on them to win or draw this game should be a winner.