Ilves vs Shakhtar Donetsk Preview & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Europa League Qualifying | First Qualifying Round

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For the first qualifying round of this season’s UEFA Europa League, we have something of a major mis-match as Ilves Tampere take on Shakhtar Donetsk in Estonia this week.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – Cannot be streamed

Ilves vs Shakhtar Donetsk prediction

As was to be expected, we had quite a heavy victory and one-sided affair in favour of Shakhtar Donetsk in the neutral venue of Stadion Stozice in Slovakia last week. The Ukrainian giants took a 26th minute lead via Alisson Santana, who eventually notched a brace early in the second-half with goals from Kaua Elias, Kevin, Pedrinho and Newerton completing a 6-0 rout of their Estonian opposition.

Ilves Tampere are a team that would appear more naturally suited to the UEFA Europa Conference League anyway, whilst it could be fairly argued that Shakhtar belong in the UEFA Champions League, but they underperformed domestically last season.

Shakhtar weren’t dominant throughout their first-leg against Ilves, but simply have an abundance of quality that means they can ease past teams of their standard.

Ilves vs Shakhtar Donetsk tip: Shakhtar Donetsk to win -1 handicap