UEFA Champions League 26/27 · Round 2 ·
FC Shakhtar Donetsk vs AEK Athens preview: Shakhtar host AEK Athens with both sides unbeaten
Shakhtar and AEK Athens meet at Stamford Bridge with each side carrying an unbeaten recent run into the fixture. The market prices this almost exactly level, with AEK Athens a marginal favourite at 36% to win.
By 10xSharp · Published
This preview was published before kickoff. The match has finished: see the result and full stats. Read the match report.
Key absences for both sides
Shakhtar are missing three players, with defender Marlon and forward Pedrinho both ruled out through injury and goalkeeper Kiril Fesiun absent through illness. None of those three are among Shakhtar's leading scorers this season, so the absence does not remove a primary attacking threat. AEK Athens have one unavailable player, goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, who is out with an injury. Neither side is missing a player who has scored in this competition so far.
The scorers to watch
Gleiker Mendoza has scored Shakhtar's only goal in this competition this season, giving him 100% of the team's goals from one match played. For AEK Athens, Razvan Marin has also scored once in one match, accounting for all of his side's goals in this competition. Both players are available for this fixture and carry their team's entire scoring output into the match.
Both arrive unbeaten
Shakhtar's last six matches have produced five wins and one draw, with four clean sheets and 14 goals scored against only two conceded. AEK Athens are unbeaten in their last six as well, with five wins and a draw, three clean sheets and 20 goals scored against three conceded. Shakhtar have won their last two matches at this venue, while AEK Athens are unbeaten in at least four away matches. Shakhtar have had 5.3 days since their last match, slightly more than AEK Athens' 4.1 days.
One match each in the table
Shakhtar sit 17th with one point from one match played, having drawn their only fixture. AEK Athens are 16th with three points from one match, having won their only game. Shakhtar have not yet played at home this season, while AEK Athens have not yet played away. Both sides have played just a single match, so the table is still taking shape.
A single meeting, three years ago
These sides have met once before, in 2023, and AEK Athens won that match 5-0. The meeting was not in this competition. With only one match between them, there is no meaningful pattern to draw on, and the history is three years old.
Attack comparison
Shakhtar average 1.0 goals per match this season, which is worse than the league average of 1.92. AEK Athens also average 1.0 goals per match, also worse than the league average. Both sides have scored exactly once in their single league match, so there is no attacking edge between them on this season's evidence.
Defensive solidity
Shakhtar concede 1.0 goals per match, which is better than the league average of 1.92. AEK Athens have yet to concede a goal this season, giving them a large defensive edge over Shakhtar. AEK Athens have kept three clean sheets in their three matches, while Shakhtar have none in their one match.
Shots on target
AEK Athens average 3.67 shots on target per match, compared to Shakhtar's 2.0. Shakhtar see 4.0 of their shots blocked per match, the same rate as AEK Athens. AEK Athens also average more shots off target, at 5.33 per match against Shakhtar's 1.0.
When goals arrive
Shakhtar scored their only goal in the 31-45 minute window and conceded their only goal in the 46-60 minute window. AEK Athens are fast starters, with 40% of their goals coming in the first 15 minutes and another 40% between minutes 16 and 30. AEK Athens have scored first in two of their three matches, while Shakhtar have scored first in their only match.
Goal environment so far
Shakhtar's only match this season went over 1.5 goals but under 2.5. AEK Athens' only match also went over 1.5 goals but under 2.5. Both teams have failed to score in 0% of their matches this season. Shakhtar have scored 50% of the goals in their matches, while AEK Athens have scored 100% of the goals in theirs.
A tight, low-scoring contest
This match shapes up as a tight, low-scoring affair between two sides who have been solid defensively and unbeaten in recent weeks. AEK Athens hold the clearer defensive edge, having not conceded a goal this season, while Shakhtar have been strong at home recently. The market prices the match almost exactly level, with AEK Athens a marginal favourite at 36% to win. Expect a closely fought match where a single goal could decide the outcome.