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Shakhtar Donetsk
Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 25, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Athletic Bilbao logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
San Jose (68')

Preview: Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Athletic Bilbao

Sports Mole previews the Champions League Group H match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Athletic Bilbao

Shakhtar Donetsk will be able to seal a place in the knockout stage of the Champions League if they avoid defeat to Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday evening.

The Ukrainian side are two points behind already-qualified Group H leaders Porto, and five points clear of BATE Borisov, so need just a draw from their last two matches to ensure a spot in the last 16.

The home side have the competition's top scorer this season in Luiz Adriano, with the Brazilian remarkably scoring eight goals in their last two matches.

Shakhtar have lost just three of their last 18 matches at home in this competition, although they are not playing at their Donbass Arena home this season because of the ongoing political unrest in the area, which resulted in the stadium being damaged earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao are still looking for their first win of the campaign, having secured their only point so far in a goalless draw with Shakhtar in their opening game.

The Spaniards should have Artiz Aduriz available for the match after he marked his return from a hamstring injury with a goal in the team's win over Espanyol in La Liga on Friday evening.

Carlos Gurpegi and Markel Susaeta may be rested or have a limited role on Tuesday as they would miss the final group game if they were to be shown a yellow card in this fixture.

Bilbao cannot make the knockout stages of the competition, but a win would leave them with a strong chance of dropping into the Europa League.

Shakhtar Donetsk:

Form in Champions League: WLDDWW
Form in all competitions: WWLWDW

Possible starting lineup: Pyatov, Srna, Ordets, Rakitskiy, Shevchuk, Costa, Fred, Stepanenko, Taison, Teixeira, Adriano

Athletic Bilbao:

Form in Champions League: DWDLLL
Form in all competitions: LWWLDW

Possible starting lineup: Iraizoz, De Marcos, Martinez, Laporte, Balenziaga, San Jose, Muniain, Susaeta, Aduriz, Gomez, Fernandez

Sports Mole says: 2-2


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Athletic Bilbao's forward Aritz Aduriz celebrates with his teammate forward Iker Muniain (L) after scoring during the UEFA Champions League play-off second leg football match Athletic Bilbao vs SSC Napoli at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on August 27, 2
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