Champions League

Wednesday's Champions League predictions including Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Monaco

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 25 August 2021

Sports Mole provides score predictions for all of Wednesday's Champions League fixtures, including Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Monaco.

Brondby vs. Salzburg (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Brondby boss Niels Frederiksen pictured in May 2021 © Reuters

Last week's first-leg win leaves Red Bull Salzburg in the driving seat ahead of the return against Danish champions Brondby, as they seek a place in the Champions League group stage for a third consecutive year.

The ambitious Austrian outfit came from behind to lead 2-1 in the tie, so will expect to complete the job on Tuesday and progress past a struggling home side.

We say: Brondby 1-2 Red Bull Salzburg (Red Bull Salzburg win 4-2 on aggregate)

Though the first leg was decided by just a one-goal margin, the contrast in these clubs' form could hardly be greater.

Brondby's domestic woes have yet to end, and they meet a Salzburg side whose strong start to the campaign has seen them record six straight successes, so another win for the Austrians will see them safely through to the group stage.

Our tipster partners are predicting over 2.5 goals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

Dinamo Zagreb vs. Sheriff Tiraspol (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Dinamo Zagreb's Mislav Orsic pictured on February 25, 2021 © Reuters

Seeking to book a spot in the Champions League group stage for the first time in their history, Sheriff Tiraspol take a three-goal lead to Croatia as they meet Dinamo Zagreb in Wednesday's playoff second leg.

A stunning victory in Moldova puts them in the driving seat ahead of the return, while Dinamo must find inspiration after a woeful first-leg performance.

We say: Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 Sheriff Tiraspol (Sheriff win 4-3 on aggregate)

Dinamo are set to throw all of their considerable attacking talent at their visitors, but they clearly had trouble keeping the back door shut last week and will get caught out again.

For their persistence, heart and incisive final-third play, Sheriff should be rewarded with a group stage place, while their hosts must content themselves with another Europa League campaign.

Our tipster partners are predicting a home win.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

Shakhtar vs. Monaco (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Monaco manager Niko Kovac pictured in February 2021 © Reuters

Shakhtar Donetsk will be aiming to spring another surprise in the Champions League when they welcome Monaco to NSK Olimpisky for the second leg of their playoff tie on Wednesday.

A 19th-minute winner from Pedrinho saw the Ukrainian side prevail in the first leg at the Stade Louis II, and Monaco's league fortunes have not improved whatsoever since then.

We say: Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Monaco (Shakhtar win 3-1 on aggregate)

Monaco's profligacy was there for all to see in the first leg, and there would be no better time for Wissam Ben Yedder and Kevin Volland to find their shooting boots if their European adventure is to continue.

While Shakhtar's defence may be breached on home soil, the hosts prevailed comfortably in the league with a second-string team and have proven their European pedigree consistently throughout the past few years, so we are backing the Ukrainian side to cause somewhat of an upset and force Monaco to settle for Europa League football.

Our tipster partners are predicting over 1.5 goals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match