Champions League: Shaktar Donetsk - FC Nordsjaelland

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
Champions League: Shaktar Donetsk - FC Nordsjaelland Champions League Uefa, International	19/09/2012 20:45	full time result	Shaktar	1.3	Bet at Ladbrokes
Betting prediction was written by Ronny

SHAKTAR DONTESK VS NORDSJAELLAND - STATS

Shaktar has 9 wins out of 9 in their domestic league. They have scored 3 goals or more in their last three games at home. Shaktar has previously reached the Quarter Finals of the Champions League. Nordsjaelland has 4 wins - 3 draws - 2 losses on their first 9 games in the Danish Super Liga. Nordsjaelland are newcommers to the Champions League.

TEAMNEWS AND RUN OF PLAY

Shaktar Donetsk has not reported any new knocks, and will field a very strong team for this clash with Nordsjaelland. Mikkel Beckmann is a doubt for the visitors after picking up an injury when Nordsjaelland played FC Copenhagen in the weekend. Striker Morten Nordstrand has been injured, and not played too much as of late, but he should be fit.

The home side is filled with creativity. Shaktar is lining up a mix of Brazilian flair and Ukrainian strength. The world's top clubs will yet again have their eyes on transfer targets Douglas Costa, Alex Teixeira, Willian and the Armenian youngster Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Nordsjaelland doesn't boast the same quality. In my opinion their best player is midfielder Kasper Lorentzen (9 games/2goals this season), and Joshua John who has scored 6 goals in 5 apperances. The young Central defenders Jores Okore (20) and Ivan Runje (21) must also be mentioned.

Shaktar Donetsk most likely will turn up the heat and try to run over the danish visitors. The creativeness of the home side will test the very young central defensive pairing for Nordsjaelland. I am aware of their quality, but against top drawer talent they will have to play the game of their lives. Nordsjaelland are a good themselves in attack, but I doubt they will get too much of a chance to dominate. They can be very dangerous on the counter though, so Shaktar must be careful not sending every one forward headless-chicken-style.

SHAKTAR DONETSK v FC NORDSJAELLAND 1X2 BET PREDICTIONS

There is simply too much attacking power and flair in Shaktar Donetsk to overlook. I go with 1.30 (3/10) offered by Ladbrokes. The only danger is either that Shaktar forgets how to convert chances to goals (unlikely), or that they underestimate the danes and get surprised. In 2012 for a hungry and ambitious team that should not be possible. I am also aware of the counter danger that Nordsjaelland possess but even if they get one or two, Shaktar should win it.

SHAKTAR DONETSK v FC NORDSJAELLAND ASIAN HANDICAP PREDICTIONS

With so much Shaktar dominance expected it is tempting to go for a wide handicap. I do however recommend some caution here. Nordsjaelland may be newcommers, and they may not on paper have the same quality player for player, but they are a solid team and they have a handful of young and hungry players the world will learn to know in the future. I don't find any of the odds out there interesting. No bet!

SHAKTAR DONETSK v FC NORDSJAELLAND TOTAL GOALS PREDICTIONS

This game will either be nerveous for the first 20-30 min or it will be fireworks. Either way, there is plenty of time to score goals. Over 2.5 goals in this game looks likely looking at the teams and their habits. 1.70 is fine odds indeed. Bet365 is the provider. Click here to take the odds.