In this preview, we take a look at one of this years’ Champions Leagues’ most competitive group, group F. The first match will see Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk take on Dutch champions Feyenoord, with their last fixture seeing Shakhtar Donetsk recovering from a losing position to win 2:1. The second game will see Manchester City visit Napoli, with the English side taking confidence into the away fixture after they also beat Napoli 2:1 in each of their last Champions League fixtures.
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukr) vs. Feyenoord (Tur)
Three-Way: 1: Shakhtar Donetsk -222; X: +480 Draw; 2: Feyenoord +850 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +0.5: Shakhtar Donetsk +110; Feyenoord -101
Total +3: Over -120; Under +112
Shakhtar Donetsk
Shakhtar Donetsk has been in excellent domestic form recently, having been unbeaten in twelve matches and perching at the top of the table, seven points above rivals Dinamo Kiev. However, their last two results will have been of slight disappointment, having drawn twice including a 0:0 result away at second-place Dinamo Kiev.
Continentally, Shakhtar Donetsk has had a successful start, especially after earning a 2:1 win away at Feyenoord in their last Champions League fixture. Although Feyenoord got the early goal, the Ukrainian Champions turned the fixture around as Brazilian winger Bernard scored twice, his first and second goals of the season. The win and the three points puts the Ukrainian side in second place, three points above Napoli and another win against Feyenoord could put them within touching distance of the round of sixteen.
Manager Paulo Fonseca will be without defensive-midfielder Maksym Malashev (knee), centre-back Sergiy Kryvtsov (knee) and winger Bernard (arm).
Feyenoord
The defending Dutch champions have hit a terrible patch of form, having failed to win in their last three League matches seeing them drop to sixth place in the league table. One particularly poor result came in a home match against Ajax, losing 4:1 while missing a penalty in the second half that may have helped their fortunes.
Further trouble for Feyenoord came in the Champions League as they lost 2:1 at home to Shakhtar Donetsk, a team they had to beat if they are to have any chance of progression. It was a match where the Dutch side created few chances, and were ultimately beaten by opposition winger Bernard who scored two goals to win his side the match. Feyenoord now sit at the bottom of the group, and leave themselves with little chance of progression unless they can win all three of their next matches.
Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst will have a number of players missing through injury, includingSven van Beek (toe), Jan-Arie van der Heijden (wound), Eric Botteghin (knee), Renato Tapia (hamstring), Miquel Nelom (wound) and Mats Knoester (wound).
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukr) vs. Feyenoord (Tur)- Match Prediction:
After witnessing the last match, it’s difficult to see where a win will come from for Feyenoord, with no players seemingly able to grab a match by the scruff of its neck. Shakhtar Donetsk on the other hand, are in good form domestically and have made a good showing of themselves in the Champions League so far, so I think they will obtain a comfortable win.
MY PICK: Shakhtar Donetsk +0.5 AH (+110)
Napoli(Ita) vs. Manchester City (Eng)
Three-Way: 1:Napoli +183; X: +290 Draw; 2: Manchester City +154 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Napoli +106; Manchester City -114
Total+3.5: Over +125; Under -132
Napoli
Napoli has been in great form in Serie A recently, winning the vast majority of their games, and a recent 0:0 draw away at league leaders Internazionale earlier in October. Although Napoli are behind Inter, they trail by just one point and have a game in hand, so they have a great chance to lead the table.
Despite recent domestic successes, the one-time UEFA Cup winners had a difficult time in their last Champions League fixture in a 2:1 loss away at Manchester City. Napoli’s loss ultimately came from two early goals which they were not unable to recover from despite having one the highest-rated attacks in Europe. The Italian side did improve in the second half and went head-to-head with their opponents, managing to pull a goal back through a converted penalty from central midfielder Amadou Diawara, but they could not find the equalizer.
Manager Maurizio Sarri will have a fully fit and available squad for their upcoming match, other than forward Arkadiusz Milik who is out due to a cruciate ligament rupture.
Manchester City
The Citizens have been in incredible form recently, having won all of their last thirteen matches in all competitions, including an emphatic 7:2 win over Stoke City. Manchester City’s form has seen them spring to the top of the Premier League table, already putting a five-point gap between themselves and second-placed rivals Manchester United after nine matches. Furthermore, the four-times Premier League winners’ goal difference of +33 is the highest across all of the top five European leagues.
In Manchester City’s last Champions League fixture, they beat arguably their biggest rivals in Group F, Napoli, in an entertaining 2:1 win in front of their home crowd. City’s passing play and attacking flair was at times a joy to watch, especially in the first half which gave them two goals. The second half was slightly trickier for the English side, with Napoli grabbing a goal to half the deficit, but they held on for the three points to maintain their 100% record in this year’s Champions League. Progressing to the next round would be the fifth time they have done so in a row, and this Manchester City side, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, is expected to go further than just the last sixteen.
Manager Pep Guardiola will be without Vincent Kompany through a calf injury and left-back Benjamin Mendy is also out with a cruciate ligament injury,butPep will otherwise have a full squad.
Napoli(Ita) vs. Manchester City (Eng) – Match Prediction:
The last match between these two sides was a treat, and I wouldn’t expect that to be any different in the reverse fixture. This will be one of Manchester City’s toughest tests this season, and may show how realistic their Champions League winning credentials are. However, Napoli will be keen for revenge and will have the firepower to dispatch City if they perform well and have a bit of luck on the way. That being said, with Napoli at home and as City will probably be cautious and satisfied with just a point, I would recommend betting on a low scoring draw.
MY PICK: DRAW (+290)
Additional Pick: Under 3.5 goals (-132)
