/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2026%2F11%2FFotoJet-2026-11-01T165431.296.jpg)
Facing off for the first time since 2008, Shakhtar Donetsk and Sporting Lisbon will both be looking to get their Champions League campaigns back on track when they meet at the Ukrainian club's temporary home – Stamford Bridge – on Tuesday evening.
Both sides suffered their first defeats of this season's league phase on matchday three, with the Miners edged out by Inter Milan, while the Lions suffered a shock loss to debutants LASK Linz.
Separated by two points, Sporting sit 12th in the 36-team table, five places above Shakhtar, setting up an intriguing contest between two sides hoping to strengthen their chances of reaching the knockout phase.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Shakhtar vs Sporting
- Shakhtar have lost both previous meetings with Sporting, with each encounter ending 1-0 in the 2008-09 Champions League group stage.
- Sporting have scored at least twice in each of their last five Champions League league-phase matches.
- Luis Suarez has scored in 10 of his last 11 appearances for Sporting, including his most recent three in the Champions League.
- Sporting have won four of their last five Champions League league-phase matches.
Shakhtar vs Sporting preview: Two sides looking to bounce back from matchday three setbacks
Shakhtar vs Sporting — Tale of the Tape
| Shakhtar | vs | Sporting |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (Ukranian Premier League) | Position | 3rd (Primeira Liga) |
| 28 | Points | 21 |
| 22 | Goals For | 23 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 11 |
| 7 | Clean Sheets | 3 |
| 2nd (H) | Home / Away Rank | 3rd (A) |
Shakhtar are making their 20th appearance in the Champions League proper and their ninth in the last 10 seasons, although their previous campaign in the competition ended with a 27th-place finish in the league phase.
Arda Turan's side subsequently reached the Conference League semi-finals last season, where their European run ended with a 5-2 aggregate defeat to eventual winners Crystal Palace.
The Ukrainian champions began this season's league phase with a 1-1 draw away to PSV Eindhoven before beating AEK Athens 3-1 at their temporary home in London, but their 1-0 defeat to 10-man Inter means they could go consecutive Champions League matches without scoring for the first time since October 2024.
Shakhtar have collected 28 points from 11 league matches to sit top of the domestic standings, having recorded a 2-0 victory over Obolon on Friday, and will hope to carry that momentum into Tuesday's encounter.
Meanwhile, Sporting are making their 13th appearance in the Champions League main stage and their fifth in the last six seasons, having finished seventh in last term's league phase before reaching the quarter-finals.
Rui Borges's side opened their latest European campaign with victories over Galatasaray and Lens before a 3-2 home defeat to LASK brought their four-match winning run in the league phase to an end.
That setback was followed by a league defeat against newly promoted Academico de Viseu, but the Lions have since beaten Maritimo in the Taca da Liga and secured a 2-0 away win over Casa Pia to restore some confidence ahead of their trip to London.
Sporting's away record should also provide encouragement, as they have avoided defeat in their last 12 matches on the road across all competitions, recording seven victories and five draws during that run.
The visitors have also scored in each of their last 21 Champions League group-stage or league-phase matches, while another goal from Luis Suarez would see the Colombian set a new Sporting club record by scoring in four consecutive appearances in the competition.
Shakhtar vs. Sporting form guide & betting tips
| Shakhtar | vs | Sporting |
|---|---|---|
WLWDW |
Form | WLLWW |
| 7 | Goals For | 9 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 6 |
DWL |
UEFA Champions League | WWL |
Whispers predicts: Shakhtar 1-2 Sporting
Over 2.5 goals at 1.70 (7/10) is an appealing selection, as both sides have enough attacking quality to contribute to an entertaining contest, particularly with Shakhtar looking for a positive result and Sporting keen to return to winning ways in Europe.
Luis Suarez to score at any time at 2.10 (11/10) is also worth considering, with the Colombian striker in fine scoring form and capable of troubling the Shakhtar defence.
Sporting to win at 1.95 (19/20) offers another attractive option, as Borges's side have the European experience and away-day resilience to take maximum points at Shakhtar's temporary home in West London.
A 2-1 Sporting victory at 9.00 (8/1) looks a reasonable correct-score selection, with the visitors capable of edging a competitive encounter while Shakhtar's attacking threat could still be enough to get them on the scoresheet.
> Over 2.5 goals at 1.70 (7/10) | Likelihood: Probable
> Anytime goalscorer: Luis Suarez at 2.10 (11/10) | Likelihood: Possible
> Sporting to win at 1.95 (19/20) | Likelihood: Possible]
> Correct score: Shakhtar 1-2 Sporting at 9.00 (8/1) | Likelihood: Outsider