Shakhtar Donetsk V Werder Bremen - Istanbul 19:45 ITV4
With the Champions league final just over the horizon. It's now the UEFA Cup which takes centre stage as Ukraine take on Germany live on ITV4 in Turkey. Many will have fancied Werder Bremen to make it this far, especially as they claimed the scalp of AC Milan early on in the tournament who were the favourites to win the entire competition. Shakhtar on the other hand weren't rated as highly but fully deserve their spot in the final after victory's over Tottenham Hotspur and Dynamo Kiev to name but a few of their scalps in this seasons competition.
As far as picking a winner for this game goes, we will have to side with the Ukrainians which may come as a surprise to some after i did nominate the German side as my actual favourites for the UEFA Cup a few months ago. A lot has happened since then though and some of Shakhtar's gutsy performances has impressed me and they get the nod to land what would be their biggest achievement for some time.
The Ukrainians will be boosted by the absence of Bremen's biggest threat in Brazilian Diego who has actually found the net six times despite his side only playing the second half of the tournament after dropping down from the Champions League after Christmas. He received a yellow card in the second leg of their victory over fellow German side Hamburg and he will now unfortunately miss this fixture. That will be hard felt by Werder Bremen as he is by far their most creative player and questions are asked by myself as to whether Bremen have a suitable replacement. Mehmet Ozil certainly posses a lot of potential but he is an unknown quantity at such a big stage.
Shakhtar have had to relinquish their league crown after Dynamo Kiev ran away with the Ukrainian league after Shakhtar won it the previous season but that could also be the incentive the club need heading into the final. They won both the domestic league and cup last year and although they would have been aiming to repeat that feat this season. They will undoubtedly have wanted to win this competition above anything else. They did defeat their bitter rivals Dynamo Kiev at the Semi-Final stage and actually looked the better side over the two legs in my honest opinion. They can defend extremely well but also look a huge threat going forward and Bremen will need to be on top of their game if they are to silence the Ukrainian supporters.
I'm not confident that this game has many goals in it. Bremen are certainly capable of scoring a fair amount but the absence of Diego is key for me and i think that will leave Bremen a bit exposed in the centre of the park. Donetsk are also a side who prefer to defend in numbers and then look to hit sides on the break and they have made a mockery of some big teams in doing so. I can see this being a tight game and it may very well go into extra-time but Shakhtar have been over priced in my opinion.
Shakhtar Donetsk Previous UEFA Cup results:
BEAT Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Aggregate
BEAT CSKA Moscow 2-1 Aggregate
BEAT Marseille 4-1 Aggregate
BEAT Dynamo Kiev 3-2 Aggregate
Werder Bremen Previous UEFA Cup results:
BEAT AC Milan 3-3 (Won on Away Goals)
BEAT St-Etienne 3-2 Aggregate
BEAT Udinese 6-4 Aggregate
BEAT Hamburg 3-3 (Won on Away Goals)
Key Players:
Shakhtar Donetsk - Luis Fernandinho
Shakhtar aren't as prolific in front of goal as their opponents and this is emphasised in the fact that Luis Fernandinho is their top goals corer in the UEFA Cup with just four goals. However, although that tally is small. All of those goals were crucial. The vast majority of their attacking play goes through the Brazilian and all their creative work will be through him and he does look very good value to score during 90 minutes.
Werder Bremen - Claudio Pizzarro
With Diego unavailable through suspension. The Bremen forwards may struggle for decent opportunity's. However, Claudio Pizzarro is a proper striker and can score from anywhere as he has already shown with five goals in this competition thus far. He does have games where he appears not too bother but this is a final and his performance in the Semi-Final against Hamburg was immense. He certainly put in a shift and was rewarded with a goal and could have had more. He will need a good supply from the wings but he is also great value to make the score sheet.
It should be an entertaining affair back in Istanbul. I doubt it will match the Champions League final of 2005 which seen Liverpool produce probably the greatest comeback of all time in a final but nevertheless. When the pressure is on, literally anything can happen. It's live on ITV4 and it's a game we highly recommend you watch and have a small punt on.
Selection:
Shakhtar Donetsk to WIN - 15/8 BetFred
Side Bet:
Luis Fernandinho to Score in 90 minutes - 15/4 SportingBetLabels: UEFA Cup Final : Shakhtar Donetsk V Werder Bremen - Wednesday 20th May
Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 7:50 PM
 
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