Shakhtar Donetsk vs Sporting CP Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026-27 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk are playing their UEFA Champions League home games at Stamford Bridge as they come up against Portuguese giants Sporting CP.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV & online: UK – TNT Sports & HBO Max / USA – Paramount+
Shakhtar Donetsk preview: Admirable Shakhtar
Shakhtar Donetsk have had it tough off the pitch but they remain admirable on the pitch, now under the management of former Turkiye international Arda Turan, and they have started steadily in the UEFA Champions League.
The Ukrainian giants began with a 1-1 draw against PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands before an impressive 3-1 victory over AEK Athens. They were then edged out by a goal to nil by ten-man Internazionale at San Siro.
Sporting CP preview: Portuguese giants
Portuguese giants Sporting CP have been very impressive in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, starting with back-to-back victories before succumbing to a defeat a couple of weeks ago.
After beating Galatasaray and Lille, Sporting did then succumb to a surprising 3-2 defeat at home to Austrian outfit LASK at Estadio Jose Alvalade, having taken an early lead in that game before requiring a late consolation to soften their embarrassment.
Shakhtar Donetsk team news: Pedrinho out
Pedrinho was an injury doubt for the Ukrainians but he had managed to work himself back to full fitness for the quick-fire games in October. However, he is now again sidelined until the New Year due to a muscle injury.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Riznyk; Tobias, Bondar, Matvyenko, Pedro Henrique; Ocheretko; Alisson, Newerton, Marlon Gomes, Mendoza; Kaua Elias
Unavailable: Pedrinho (Injured)
Questionable:
Sporting CP team news: Couple of injuries
Sporting head to London with a couple of injury issues as versatile defender Zeno Debast works his way back to fitness alongside Uruguay international midfielder Rodrigo Zalazar.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kaique; Fresneda, Quaresma, Inacio, Araujo; Simoes, Altimira; Catamo, Doumbia, Irankunda; Suarez
Unavailable: Debast (Injured), Zalazar (Injured)
Questionable:
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Sporting CP prediction
Sporting eased to a comfortable 2-0 defeat of Casa Pia in their most recent outing at the weekend. They have been inconsistent of late, both in the league and on the continent, as they sit third in Liga Portugal but nine points adrift of FC Porto. Shakhtar do not have home advantage but, against AEK, they were impressive at Stamford Bridge and so they will likely get themselves on the front foot again with Sporting, too, a team that, if when playing poorly as against LASK, can consistently create.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Sporting CP Tip: Both teams to score
