Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Inter 9/28/21 UEFA Champions League Soccer Pick, Odds, and Prediction

Shakhtar Donetsk is welcoming Inter to Olimpiysky National Sports Complex in round 2 of Group D of the UEFA Champions League. After losing in round 1 of the Champions League, Shakhtar has gone on a 3-game winning streak with a great offense and solid offense. Inter has also lost in round 1 of the Champions League, but they now haven’t lost in their last 3 games.

Shakhtar is doing well in the Ukrainian Premier League, they are in 2^nd place with 22 points, they have scored 35 goals, and they have conceded only 5 goals in 9 games. Recently, Shakhtar has won the Ukrainian Super Cup Against Dynamo Kyiv, and it was well-deserved. In their first Champions League game this season, Shakhtar was playing against Sheriff Tiraspol on the road, and they were the dominant team with 75% of ball possession, 3 shots on goal, 17 corner kicks, 0 big chances created, and a high 91% of the correct passes. Shakhtar just couldn’t find their way to the net in this game, and in the process, they lost focus on the defensive end. Shakhtar ended up losing this game 0-2.  Despite this unfortunate loss, Shakhtar can still reach that 3^rd place, but I think the top two spots are out of their reach.

Inter has been mighty impressive in the attacking end in Serie A so far this season, and they have scored 20 goals in 6 games. Defensively, Inter started well, but their defense got sloppy lately. In their first Champions League game against Real Madrid, Inter has had 47% of ball possession, 5 shots on goal, 4 corner kicks, 4 big chances created, and 88% of the correct passes. Inter was dominant in the first half, they had better chances, but it was Real Madrid who scored a goal first, in the last minute of the game. Inter has lost this match 0-1. There are no injuries in Inter at the moment, and that will be good for them because they have a lot of games, important games ahead, but Inter is a capable team with great offense despite selling Lukaku. I think Inter will qualify past the group stage, whether that will be from the first or second spot, we are yet to see. Inter is one of the best teams in Serie A, and they are proving that once again this season.

Both teams are in solid form, on both ends, but Inter is the better team overall. Yes, Shakhtar is the home team, they are playing great and can be a dangerous team, but I’m taking Inter.