Shakhtar vs Barcelona – Shakhtar to go out in goal bonanza
Published:Shakhtar may have the biggest of mountains to climb if they want to reach the Champions League semi finals at the expense of Barcelona, but they can at least regain some pride when taking on the Spanish giants back in the Ukraine.
Match Odds
A 5-1 first-leg defeat in the Nou Camp has practically brought to an end Shakhtar’s European adventure this season, but they do own a formidable record on their own patch.
Shakhtar have won all of their Champions League home games this season and are 23/10 to maintain their 100 per cent record by beating Barcelona.
Meanwhile, three clubs have managed to overcome four-goal first-leg European deficits in the past to give Shakhtar a glimmer of hope that the unthinkable can actually be achieved.
Barcelona are 11/10 in the Champions League odds to beat Shakhtar again, but Pep Guardiola may decide that he has the luxury of being able to rest some players as they travel to Real Madrid next in La Liga.
Total Goals
Shakhtar did not go to the Nou Camp with any intention of sitting back and now that they need a hatful of goals to qualify, all out attack is likely to be their best strategy back at home.
Goals rarely prove a problem for Barcelona and if Shakhtar do commit numerous men forward, Guardiola certainly has the players to take advantage of any large amounts of space.
Therefore, like the first leg, fans should be treated to a decent number of goals and it is 8/13 in the Champions League odds that a minimum of three goals are scored.
However, it may pay to be a little more daring and it is 13/8 that over 3.5 goals are scored, while 7/2 may be reasonable value that at least five goals are scored at the Donbass Arena.
A £30 stake on Shakhtar and Barcelona drawing 3-3 would return £1500. New customers can sign up here for a free £30 bet.
