The Matchday 6 fixture of the 2025/26 Conference League group stage between Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) and Rijeka (Croatia) will take place on December 18 at Miejski Stadium in Krakow (Poland). Shakhtar Donetsk – Rijeka: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Shakhtar Donetsk
The club have already secured at least a place in the play-offs after a 2-0 away win over Hamrun. Arda Turan's side have now won three consecutive group-stage matches in the Conference League, a run that has propelled the Ukrainians to second place. If Shakhtar avoid defeat here they can clinch a spot in the last 32 of the competition. It is also worth noting that only AEK Athens (11) have scored more goals than Shakhtar (10) in the current group stage.
- The club have played seven matches in this competition, suffering just one defeat (4 wins and 2 draws).
- Exactly two or three goals were scored in six of Shakhtar’s seven previous Conference League games.
- Both teams scored in five of Shakhtar’s last seven matches in this competition.
Probable Shakhtar Donetsk line-up (4-1-4-1)
Kirill Fesyun – Irakli Azarov, Valeriy Bondar, Alaa Gram, Yefim Konoplya – Yegor Nazarina – Pedrinho, Isake, Artem Bondarenko, Lucas Ferreira – Luka Meyrellis.
Rijeka
The Croatians recorded an important home victory in the last round, beating Celje 3-0. The win lifted Rijeka to 14th place and means a draw in Krakow would be enough to reach the play-offs. There is still a chance to finish in the top eight, but that would require three points in this match. Rijeka have lost only in the opening round of the group stage and have since registered two wins and two draws. Additionally, the Balkans side conceded just one goal across their previous four matches in this competition.
- The team have failed to win in five of their last seven Conference League games – three draws and two defeats.
- At least one of the opponents failed to score in five of Rijeka’s six previous matches in this tournament.
- No more than two goals were scored in six of the Croatians’ last eight games in this competition.
Probable Rijeka line-up (4-4-2)
Martin Zlomislić – Ante Majstorović, Ante Oreč, Mladen Devetak, Stjepan Radelić – Samuele Vignato, Dejan Petrović, Tiago Dantas, Amer Gojak – Daniel Adu-Ajei, Toni Fruk.
Midfielder Dejan Petrović is unavailable due to suspension.
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)
Matches – 15 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 61;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.1;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 33%.
Match prediction – Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Rijeka
I am not expecting a high-scoring game. Shakhtar are already very close to the last 32 and are likely to prioritise a positive result without taking unnecessary risks, focusing on defensive solidity to avoid an upset. Rijeka have struggled to score more than one goal in their away fixtures in this competition and have not won on the road in their last four matches, netting just twice in that run. Shakhtar have kept their opponents to fewer than two goals in five of their seven Conference League games, while only Aberdeen have conceded more than two goals to them this campaign. Given those trends, it is reasonable to expect fewer than three goals in this tie.
My prediction – Total under 2.5
* The starting line-ups for each team are taken from their most recent match in this competition.
