Shakhtar Donetsk and Sporting CP meet this Tuesday at Stamford Bridge in London for the fourth round of the UEFA Champions League league phase. With both teams chasing valuable points, Issa Doumbia and Geny Catamo could feature in Sporting’s starting line-up for the European clash.
Shakhtar manager Arda Turan is expected to favour a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Dmytro Riznyk in goal. Vinícius Tobias, Valeriy Bondar, Mykola Matviyenko and Pedro Henrique should form the defensive line, while Oleg Ocheretko anchors the midfield. Alisson Santana, Isaque, Marlon Gomes and Gleiker Mendoza could operate ahead of him, with Kauã Elias leading the attack. However, Shakhtar will miss Marlon Santos through a muscle injury. Sporting coach Rui Borges is likely to deploy a 4-3-3 system, with Kaique Pereira between the posts and Iván Fresneda, Eduardo Quaresma, Gonçalo Inácio and Maxi Araújo in defence.
In midfield, Ricardo Esgaio, Issa Doumbia and Sergi Altimira could start, while Geny Catamo, Luis Suárez and Nestory Irankunda could lead Sporting’s attack. The Portuguese side will be without Zeno Debast and Nuno Santos, while Rodrigo Zalazar remains doubtful with a thigh injury. Both managers will confirm their final selections shortly before kick-off. The expected line-ups are:
Shakhtar Donetsk (4-1-4-1): Riznyk – Vinícius Tobias, Bondar, Matviyenko, Pedro Henrique – Ocheretko – Alisson Santana, Isaque, Marlon Gomes, Mendoza – Kauã Elias.
Sporting CP (4-3-3): Kaique Pereira – Fresneda, Eduardo Quaresma, Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo – Ricardo Esgaio, Issa Doumbia, Sergi Altimira – Geny Catamo, Luis Suárez, Nestory Irankunda.
