The second leg of the 2025/26 Conference League qualification playoff between Servette (Switzerland) and Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) will take place on August 28 at Stade de Genève. The first match ended with a score of 1-1. Servette vs. Shakhtar Donetsk: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Servette
Jocelyn Gourvennec's side was pleased with the result of the first meeting, managing to draw against a strong opponent, and that too away from home. The Swiss team scored an early goal, but couldn't maintain their lead, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Now, the team needs to win in regulation time to advance to the main round of the Conference League. Incidentally, they failed to do so last season, losing to Chelsea in the playoff round (2-1 and 0-2).
- The club has not won in regular time in 9 of their last 11 European matches (4 draws and 5 losses).
- A maximum of three goals were scored in 11 of Servette's last 13 European matches in regulation time.
- At home, the Swiss have achieved only 1 win in regulation time in their last 7 European matches (3 draws and 3 losses).
Predicted lineup for Servette (5-3-2)
Joël Mall – Anthony Baron, Bradley Mazikou, Dylan Bronn, Lilian Nyo, Loan Srdanovic – Lamine Fomba, Timothé Cognat, Alexis Antunes – Keyan Varela, Miroslav Stevanovic.
Shakhtar Donetsk
The Ukrainians were unlucky with their finishing in the first match. Arda Turan's side held 71% possession, outshot their opponents 23-2, and had more corners (14-3), but managed to score just one goal. As a result, Shakhtar's unbeaten run in regular time in European competitions has grown to 7 matches (3 wins and 4 draws). Now, they need to win away, and if the match ends in another draw, extra time will be played.
- A maximum of two goals have been scored in Shakhtar's last 4 European matches.
- The Ukrainians have not conceded more than one goal in regulation time in 6 of their last 7 European encounters.
- In their last 10 away European games, Shakhtar has secured only 1 win (3 draws and 6 losses).
Predicted lineup for Shakhtar Donetsk (4-5-1)
Dmytro Riznyk – Mykola Matviyenko, Pedro Henrique Azevedo, Valeriy Bondar, Vinicius Tobias – Alisson Santana, Marlon Gomes, Georgiy Sudakov, Neveton, Pedrinho – Kauan Elias.
Referee
Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez (Spain)
Matches – 8 (International matches, 2023/24–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 38;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.8;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 50%.
Match Prediction: Servette vs. Shakhtar Donetsk
The Swiss were fortunate in the first meeting. The Ukrainians were clearly the stronger side but lacked precision in finishing their attacks. I believe that in the return leg, Shakhtar will find it easier, as the hosts will spend more time attacking, which the Ukrainian club will capitalize on.
Shakhtar has not lost a single match in the current European season, yet they find themselves in the third-tier European competition. The team has nowhere to retreat, with their reputation at stake. Servette is not a particularly strong club, having failed to win 6 of their last 7 home European matches. Moreover, in this series of home games, they have only scored more than one goal once.
My prediction – Victory for Shakhtar Donetsk
