Shakhtar Donetsk-Borussia Dortmund Betting Preview: Expect goals in a mouth-watering encounter
The match at the Donbass Arena has taken a back seat to tonight's glamorous other tie, but Al Hain-Cole thinks that there may be enough goals to have the neutrals tuning in
Although overshadowed by tonight’s other quarter final clash between Manchester United and Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk versus Borussia Dortmund promises to bring together two of the Champions League’s most entertaining teams.The Miners ousted European champions Chelsea to qualify from Group E, thanks largely to their 2-1 home victory against the holders.
The final group stage match against Juventus was the Ukrainians’ last competitive game due to the end of their domestic season, but they have racked up some strong friendly wins over the winter, and are available at 8/5 (2.60) with William Hill to secure a victory this evening.Jurgen Klopp’s men surprisingly finished top of the so-called "Group of Death", winning four and drawing two of their daunting fixtures against Real Madrid, Manchester City and Ajax, with only two last minute equalisers standing between them and a perfect record.
You can back the Germans at 7/4 (2.75) to put themselves in the driving seat with a priceless away win, or at 11/5 (3.20) to pick up their third draw in three European games on the road.
The attacking flair shown by both of these teams so far in the competition suggests that we could be in for a mouth-watering spectacle at the Donbass Arena, and just three clean sheets in 12 games between them seems to spell goals.
A bet on both teams to score would have paid out in each of the Die Schwarzgelben’s last five Champions League away games, and four of the hosts’ six group fixtures, so is surely where the smart money lies at 8/13 (1.62).With Mario Gotze, Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski at his disposal, Klopp can boast one of Europe’s most dazzling forward lines, but a less high-profile name has been stealing the headlines recently.
Jakub Błaszczykowski is currently enjoying his most prolific season in a yellow shirt with 11 goals in 23 games, and has struck five times in the last five competitive matches.
Considering the in-form Polish winger is charged with penalty duty, odds of 10/3 (4.33) look extremely generous on him getting on the scoresheet in Donetsk.
| BET |
OF THE |
DAY |
| BEST BET |
VALUE BET |
| Both sides to score at 8/13 (1.62) with William Hill |
Jakub Błaszczykowski to score anytime at 10/3 (4.33) with William Hill |
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Al Hain-Cole is a Liverpool fan, experienced tipster and avid follower of European football. He specialises in accumulators and if you would like to read more from Al you can follow him on Twitter here.
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