Kharkiv - Shakhtar. Preview and prediction of the UPL match on 16.08.2026
The central match of the third round will take place at the "Left Bank Arena", where "FC Kharkiv" will host "Shakhtar".
UPL. 3rd round.
August 16. Kyiv. "Left Bank".
"Kharkiv" 15:30 "Shakhtar".
Referee: Oleksandr Shandor (Lviv).
Live broadcast: UPL TV.
Kharkiv News.
"Kharkiv" started the season with a minimal victory over "Veres". Bartulovich's team had a significant advantage but struggled to score against Gorokh. Ramik Gadzhiyev, who came on as a substitute, helped his team secure the victory.
In the second round, "Kharkiv" faced a cold shower. In the central match of the round, they were easily defeated by "Polissya". Bartulovich's team's traditionally reliable defense from the previous season failed three times this time. Itodo's consolation goal at the end of the match did little to please the Kharkiv fans.
"Kharkiv" had an active transfer campaign, and all the new players have already integrated into the team and are getting playing time. The key players include Artem Smolyakov, Rafael Profini, Carlos Paraco, and Georgiy Yermakov. Oleksandr Yatsyk also gets playing time. Last season, "Kharkiv" put up a fight against "Shakhtar" twice, so this time they will try to compete for points again.
Shakhtar News.
"Shakhtar" began their title defense with a rout of "Kudrivka". The "Miners" dominated the entire match and could have scored more than 5 goals. However, a defensive mistake during a set piece led to a conceded goal. It is worth noting Kaun Elias' hat-trick, who leads the list of top scorers.
In the match against "Epicenter", Elias unexpectedly remained on the bench, and Lassina Traore took his place in the starting lineup. "Shakhtar" had some difficulties with scoring in the first half, but everything fell into place in the second half. Goals from Ocheretko and Nazarina brought the Donetsk team their second consecutive victory.
Ard Turan himself stated that he sees the initial rounds as a preparation stage for the start of the Champions League main stage. Last season, the Turkish coach successfully rotated the squad, so something similar is expected this season.
Squad situation, probable lineups.
In "Kharkiv", Vladimir Salyuk and Nicholas Arevalo are injured.
Probable lineup for "Kharkiv": Yermakov - Krupsky, Shabanov, Pavlyuk, Smolyakov - Kalyuzhny, Profini, Yatsyk - Antyukh, Paraco, Rashitsa.
In "Shakhtar", Eginaldo, Marlon Gomes, and Marlon Santos are definitely out due to injuries. Pedrinho, who got injured against "Epicenter", is doubtful for the game. Fesun and Kryskiv have returned to training but are unlikely to play.
Probable lineup for "Shakhtar": Riznyk - Vinicius Tobias, Bondar, Matviyenko, Pedro Enrique - Nazarina, Bondarenko, Ocheretko - Alisson, Kaun Elias, Mendoza.
Kharkiv - Shakhtar: head-to-head statistics
15.03.26. Shakhtar - Kharkiv 1:0 (UPL)
13.09.25. Kharkiv - Shakhtar 1:1 (UPL)
03.12.23. Shakhtar - Kharkiv 2:0 (UPL)
29.07.23. Kharkiv - Shakhtar 1:2 (UPL)
05.03.23. Kharkiv - Shakhtar 0:7 (UPL)
In the last 5 head-to-head matches, "Shakhtar" has a clear advantage. Donetsk won 4 games, and the first-round match of the previous season ended in a draw.
Kharkiv's recent matches
10.08. Polissya - Kharkiv 3:1 (UPL)
01.08. Kharkiv - Veres 1:0 (UPL)
22.07. Kharkiv - Schalke 0:2 (Friendly match)
21.07. Kharkiv - Okayama 1:2 (Friendly match)
16.07. Kharkiv - Grädec-Kralove 3:3 (Friendly match)
Shakhtar's recent matches
09.08. Epicenter - Shakhtar 0:2 (UPL)
03.08. Shakhtar - Kudrivka 5:1 (UPL)
26.07. Bursaspor - Shakhtar 0:0 (Friendly match)
25.07. Shakhtar - Al-Ula 0:0 (Friendly match)
23.07. Gorica - Shakhtar 0:2 (Friendly match)
Kharkiv - Shakhtar: prediction from UA-Football
According to bookmakers, "Shakhtar" is the favorite in the confrontation. Turan's team is in good form, although it is not yet at its peak. "Kharkiv" is an uncomfortable opponent for the "Miners", but the class difference between the teams is evident. We expect a victory for "Shakhtar". Prediction - "Shakhtar" to win with odds of 1.71.
