With semi-final slots for the Europa League open for any side, Shakhtar Donetsk will be looking to proceed this Tuesday night. The match schedules at the Arena Auf Schalke with kickoff starts at 10 pm.
Shakhtar managed to secure a slot in the semi-finals after edging side Wolfsburg in the last round of 16 last Wednesday night. The side registered a first leg 2-1 win over their opponents. This increased to a 5-1 aggregate in their last outing of the second leg.
13-time Ukrainian Champions are a threat in the Europa, finish the league by 23 points. The side has not registered a single loss in the competition before the lockdown. This will count as a positive as the side welcome Basel.
The Hirnyky were hoping for a Champions League ticket but finished third in the group stages behind Manchester City and Atalanta. Shakhtar has a point to prove, especially after lifting the UEFA Cup in 2009.
Basel ensured a slot in the semi-finals after moving past side Eintracht Frankfurt on a 4-0 aggregate in the last round of 16. The Swiss giants started with a 3-0 win and finished off with a 1-0 win over the German sides. The side finished third in their league behind Young Boys and St. Gallen.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Basel Head to Head
Both sides have met four times in their history with Shakhtar picking all the four wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 Wolfsburg
Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 Veres Rivne
Oleksandriya 2-2 Donetsk
Desna 2-4 Donetsk
Dynamo Kyiv 2-3 Donetsk
Away
Basel 1-0 Frankfurt
Basel 0-0 Luzern
Thun 0-0 Basel
Basel 4-4 Lugano
St. Gallen 0-5 Basel
Shakhtar Donetsk Team News
Davit Khocholava will miss out on the clash after picking a red card during their clash in Wolfsburg. This might force the recall of Serhii Bolbat back into the starting lineup. Leading the line will be Junior Moraes, who netted a brace during their last outing in the competition.
Basel Team News
Eray Comert picked up a ban during their clash against Frankfurt. Injury woes at the camp include Jonas Omlin, Luca Zuffi, and Ramires. A replacement for Comert will be Jasper van der Werff. Another figure that is likely to start on the bench is former Premier League striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel.
Prediction and Odds
We expect the attacking threat and history of Shakhtar over Basel to take it to the last eight matches.
Shakhtar Donetsk Win
Both Sides to Score
Goals Under 2.5