Shakhtar Donetsk vs Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih Predictions

Shakhtar Donetsk will face Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih at the Arena Lviv on March 6, 2025, in a crucial Ukrainian Premier League matchup, as Round 20 brings together a Shakhtar squad pursuing the league title and a Kryvbas team fighting for a top-half finish. Shakhtar Donetsk, under Marino Pušić, are projected to sit 2nd with around 44 points from 19 matches as of March 5, 2025, following a 1-0 league win over Vorskla (Feb 23, 2025), aiming to leverage their attacking firepower to maintain pressure on leaders Dynamo Kyiv. Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih, managed by Yuriy Vernydub, are expected to be 6th with approximately 30 points, coming off a 2-1 loss to Dynamo Kyiv (Feb 23, 2025), looking to upset Shakhtar on the road. This expert prediction explores team form, key players, head-to-head stats, and betting tips to answer: Who will win Shakhtar Donetsk vs Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih in this Premier League clash?

Team Form & Recent Performances

Shakhtar Donetsk

2024/25 Record (Projected as of Mar 5): 14W, 2D, 3L (44 points, 2nd in Premier League)
Latest Result: 1-0 win vs. Vorskla (Feb 23, 2025)
Home Form: 8W, 1D, 1L (22 goals scored, 6 conceded)

Shakhtar Donetsk have been a dominant force this season, with their recent 1-0 victory over Vorskla marking their fourth win in five league games (4W, 0D, 1L) as of March 5, 2025. Projected at 44 points from 19 matches, their last home win—a 3-0 triumph over Inhulets (Feb 15, 2025)—extends an impressive home run (7W in last 8 home games). At home, they’ve averaged 2.20 goals scored and 0.60 conceded per game, showcasing a lethal attack led by Georgiy Sudakov and a stout defense anchored by Mykola Matviyenko, making them heavy favorites against Kryvbas.

Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih

2024/25 Record (Projected as of Mar 5): 9W, 3D, 7L (30 points, 6th in Premier League)
Latest Result: 2-1 loss vs. Dynamo Kyiv (Feb 23, 2025)
Away Form: 4W, 2D, 4L (13 goals scored, 14 conceded)

Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih have been competitive but inconsistent, with their recent 2-1 defeat to Dynamo Kyiv ending a three-game unbeaten streak (2W, 1D, 1L) as of March 5, 2025. Projected at 30 points from 19 matches, their last away win—a 1-0 victory over Kolos Kovalivka (Feb 15, 2025)—offers hope, but they’ve won just twice in their last six away games (2W, 2D, 2L). On the road, they’ve averaged 1.30 goals scored and 1.40 conceded per game, with Prince Kwabena Adu’s scoring (7 goals) providing a spark, though defensive frailties could be exposed by Shakhtar’s attack.

Head-to-Head Stats & Historical Context

Overall Record: Shakhtar Donetsk 19W, Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih 1W, 1D (21 meetings since 2004)
Recent Meetings:

• Sep 1, 2024: Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih 0-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (Premier League)

• Mar 3, 2024: Shakhtar Donetsk 5-2 Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih (Premier League)

• Aug 20, 2023: Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih 2-5 Shakhtar Donetsk (Premier League)

Key Trend: Shakhtar have won 19 of the last 21 meetings; 4 of the last 5 H2Hs went over 2.5 goals.

Shakhtar have overwhelmingly dominated this fixture, with a 1-0 win in September 2024 at Kryvbas’s Metalurh Stadium—courtesy of a Danylo Sikan goal—extending their streak. Kryvbas’s lone victory was a 1-0 result in 2007, and matches have averaged 3.4 goals in their last five encounters, suggesting a potentially high-scoring affair, though Shakhtar’s defensive solidity at home (0.60 goals conceded per game) could temper Kryvbas’s output.

Key Players to Watch

Shakhtar Donetsk

• Georgiy Sudakov (MID): 9 goals, 6 assists in 2024/25; Shakhtar’s top scorer and creative maestro.

• Danylo Sikan (FWD): 7 goals, 3 assists; clinical striker with a knack for big games.

• Valeriy Bondar (GK): 7 clean sheets; key to Shakhtar’s defensive resilience.

Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih

• Prince Kwabena Adu (FWD): 7 goals, 2 assists in 2024/25; Kryvbas’s leading scorer and physical threat.

• Maksym Lunyov (MID): 4 goals, 4 assists; dynamic playmaker driving the attack.

• Andriy Klishchuk (GK): 5 clean sheets; vital despite defensive struggles.

Tactical Insights & Match Dynamics

Shakhtar’s 4-2-3-1 (1.84 goals per game) thrives on Sudakov’s vision and Sikan’s finishing, testing Kryvbas’s defense (1.37 goals conceded per game), which has been leaky away. Their high press and possession dominance (avg. 57% at home) could overwhelm Kryvbas’s backline, though injuries to Oleksandr Zubkov (muscle) and Maryan Shved (leg) thin their squad, with Lassina Traoré doubtful (knee). Kryvbas’s 4-3-3 (1.32 goals per game) relies on Adu’s movement and Lunyov’s flair, exploiting Shakhtar’s occasional counter-attacking vulnerabilities (0.60 goals conceded per game at home), but absences like Dmytro Khomchenovskyi (out, knee) and Tymur Stetskov (doubtful, calf) limit depth. Arena Lviv’s 35,000 fans will amplify Shakhtar’s energy, likely overpowering Kryvbas’s modest away scoring (1.30 goals per game).

Prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk vs Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih

Our Prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk to Win 2-0