Shakhtar Donetsk vs Kryvbas KR Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper look at this one. Shakhtar are sitting pretty at the top of the table, and frankly, they've been absolutely brilliant recently. We're talking proper goal-fest stuff here - they put six past Obolon'-Brovar, seven past SK Poltava, and even managed three against a decent Dynamo Kyiv side. At home, they're averaging three goals a game, which is some going.

Kryvbas, on the other hand, are having a right old time of it away from home. Their away record reads like a horror story - 1.17 goals scored and 2.17 conceded per game on their travels. They just got stuffed 4-0 by Dynamo Kyiv not too long ago, and could only scrape a 2-2 draw at home against Veres Rivne. Not exactly confidence-inspiring stuff, is it?

The head-to-head tells its own story too - Shakhtar have never lost to Kryvbas in six meetings (four wins, two draws). Last time out was a 2-1 win for the home side, and you'd expect more of the same here.

Now, the bookies have Shakhtar at 1.20 to win, which is proper short. That tells you everything you need to know about how they see this one. But where's the value for us punters? Well, I'm looking at the goals market. Shakhtar are scoring for fun at home, and Kryvbas are about as solid as a chocolate teapot away from home. Even if Kryvbas manage to nick one, you'd fancy Shakhtar to get at least three given their recent form.

The goal expectancy has this game at around 3.8 goals, which suggests we're in for a proper entertaining match. Shakhtar have had less rest than Kryvbas (4 days vs 8), but when you're playing at home and scoring like they are, fatigue doesn't seem to matter much.

All things considered, I'm expecting goals, and plenty of them. Shakhtar's attack is in red-hot form, and Kryvbas's away defence is about as useful as a sieve. It's got all the ingredients for a proper goal-fest.

Key Points:

• Shakhtar top of the table with 30 points, scoring 3 goals per game at home

• Kryvbas struggling away with 2.17 goals conceded per game on the road

• Head-to-head: Shakhtar unbeaten in 6 meetings (4W-2D-0L)

• Recent form: Shakhtar scored 6, 7, and 3 in their last three home games

• Kryvbas recently thumped 4-0 away at Dynamo Kyiv

The bet for me has to be Over 2.5 goals. Shakhtar are banging them in for fun at home, and Kryvbas are leaking goals like nobody's business on their travels. Even if Kryvbas manage to score, you'd expect Shakhtar to get at least three given their recent attacking displays. At 1.40, there's decent value in what looks like a high-scoring affair.