Ilves Tampere will hope to overturn a massive six-goal deficit when they host Shakhtar Donetsk in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League at Tammela Stadium on Thursday, 17 July 2025.
View our free Ilves vs Shakhtar Donetsk predictions below.
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Ilves vs Shakhtar Donetsk predictions: A high-scoring affair
Key stats
- At least four goals were scored in four of Ilves’ last six matches.
- The first leg of this tie was a six-goal thriller.
- Each of Shakhtar’s last six matches featured fewer than 11 corners.
Correct score prediction: Ilves 1-3 Shakhtar Donetsk
Despite their best efforts, Ilves suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat when these teams clashed last week. Given their home advantage, we expect the Finnish side to fare better than they did in the first leg, but not well enough to avoid another defeat.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Shakhtar are odds-on favourites
- HOME: 19/4 (5.75) – 17.4%
- DRAW: 4/1 (5.00) – 20%
- AWAY: 2/5 (1.40) – 71.4%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Given their comfortable victory over Ilves last week, it is unsurprising that Shaktar Donetsk are the expected winners at 2/5 (1.40). Teams with these odds generally have a 71.4% probability of winning.
Don’t forget to check out more of our best betting tips and predictions after you’ve dissected our Ilves vs Shakhtar Donetsk predictions.
Interestingly, there were only six corners in the first leg of this tie, with Shakhtar getting more goals (6) than corners (4). On that note, under 9.5 total corners has an appealing look at 7/10 (1.70). That one has a 58.8% chance of landing.
Most recent H2Hs: Shakhtar to complete the sweep?
This will be the second encounter between these teams, the first being Shakhtar's 6-0 victory last week.
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 10/07/25
Shakhtar Donetsk
FC Ilves
Ilves Tampere preview: No new injury concerns
Ilves will have their work cut out for them when they host Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday.
However, with an injury-free squad, it will be interesting to see if they can stage their biggest European comeback of all time.
Predicted lineup: Virtanen (GK), Rale, Vaisanen, Maenpaa, Wallius, Popovitch, Veteli, Jukkola, Stjopin, Riski & Soderback.
Finland Veikkausliiga 09/05/25
W
FC Haka
2
FC Ilves
3
Finland Veikkausliiga 02/05/25
L
VPS Vaasa
1
FC Ilves
0
Finland Veikkausliiga 27/04/25
L
IFK Mariehamn
3
FC Ilves
2
Finland Veikkausliiga 19/04/25
W
KTP
0
FC Ilves
5
Finland Veikkausliiga 12/04/25
W
FF Jaro
1
FC Ilves
2
Shakhtar Donetsk preview: Changes expected
With the comfortable 6-0 first-leg victory, Coach Arda Turan is expected to make changes to the lineup on Thursday to give other players in the squad playing time, as the tie is essentially done and dusted.
Barring a shocking upset in the second leg, Shakhtar will face Besiktas in Round 2 of the Europa League qualifiers as they hope to reach the league phase of this competition.
The Ukrainian giants have quite a number of Brazilian players in their squad who will likely see action this midweek. Alisson Santana scored twice and registered three assists in the first leg. Interestingly, all six goals were scored by Brazilians.
Predicted lineup: Riznyk (GK), Konoplia, Bondar, Matviyenko, Henrique, Gomes, Alisson, Bondarenko, Sudakov, Kevin & Elias.
Ukraine Vyscha Liga 09/05/25
D
FC Zorya Lugansk
0
Shakhtar Donetsk
0
Ukraine Vyscha Liga 03/05/25
W
Chernomorets Odessa
0
Shakhtar Donetsk
3
Ukraine Vyscha Liga 27/04/25
D
Dynamo Kiev
2
Shakhtar Donetsk
2
Ukraine Cup 23/04/25
W
Polissya Zhytomyr
0
Shakhtar Donetsk
1
Ukraine Vyscha Liga 19/04/25
L
Kolos Kovalivka
4
Shakhtar Donetsk
2
Player to watch: Alisson Santana
Alisson Santana put in a man-of-the-match performance when these teams clashed last week, registering two goals and three assists. This is over twice as many goal involvements as he had since joining Shakhtar Donetsk from Atletico Mineiro in March. Should he start on Thursday, it will be interesting to see how the 19-year-old performs.