NEW! Enjoy 3 free football tips today. Sign up for free to unlock up to 9 more predictions and advanced statistics. Gain real betting advantage!
NEW! Enjoy 3 free football tips today. Sign up for free to unlock up to 9 more predictions and advanced statistics. Gain real betting advantage!
The fixture on December 18, 2025, at the Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana promises a tactical battle between Shakhtar Donetsk and HNK Rijeka. Shakhtar's possession-oriented style and higher pressing intensity aim to control proceedings, while Rijeka's disciplined defensive structure and counter-attacks seek to exploit the fast breaks. The tactical differences in pressing and attacking approach may determine the flow, with Shakhtar likely dominating possession but Rijeka posing threats on quick counters, making for an intriguing contest.
Check out our complete thoughts below.
These are our top betting tips and predictions for the match.
A cautious approach suggests a pick for Shakhtar Donetsk to avoid defeat, with a handicap of +0.5. Combining this with the under 3.5 goals bet offers a balanced approach, considering both teams' recent defensive records and tactical setups.
Most betting confidence is in under 3.5 goals and under 2.5, reflecting the defensive focus and low scoring trends of both sides.
Both teams have shown solid defensive performances, making Both Teams to Score (BTTS) an unlikely outcome, with a preference for under 2.5 goals.
Expect a cautious start with Shakhtar aiming to dominate possession early, while Rijeka adopts a more disciplined approach. Shakhtar is projected to lead at halftime, maintaining the advantage through a controlled second half.
The match on December 18, 2025, at the Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana is likely to favor Shakhtar Donetsk to secure a win or at least a draw, with a low goal count expected. Their tactical discipline and possession-based style are expected to control the game, while Rijeka might focus on counter-attacks.
There are no recent head-to-head encounters between Shakhtar Donetsk and HNK Rijeka, so the match will be a fresh encounter, with tactical assessments based on current form and team styles.
Both teams currently have minimal injury concerns, with key players like D. Petrović for Rijeka and M. Matvienko for Shakhtar expected to feature, maintaining overall squad strength for this crucial fixture.
Projected lineups suggest a 4-1-4-1 formation for Shakhtar Donetsk, focusing on possession and pressing, while Rijeka may employ a 3-3-3-1 or 4-1-4-1, emphasizing compact midfield and counter-attacks. Tactical flexibility is expected from both sides.
Shakhtar Donetsk enters the match with an impressive recent form, having won 4 of their last 5 matches, emphasizing control and defensive strength. Rijeka's form is more mixed, with 2 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss, focusing on disciplined defending and quick transition play.
See below all the main information for this match.
The match takes place on December 18, 2025, at the Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana in Kraków. It is part of the UEFA Europa Conference League, League Stage - 6. The game is yet to begin, with the kickoff at 20:00 UTC.
Shakhtar Donetsk will likely set up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, emphasizing possession and control in the midfield, while HNK Rijeka may adopt a 3-3-3-1 or 4-1-4-1, focusing on compact defending and counter-attacks. Shakhtar's pressing intensity tends to be higher, aiming to regain possession quickly, unlike Rijeka's more defensive stance. The tactical differences in pressing and possession preference could influence the match's flow, possibly favoring Shakhtar's dominance with controlled build-up, whereas Rijeka might rely on quick counters to exploit any defensive lapses.
The game is scheduled for December 18, 2025, at 20:00 UTC at the Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana in Kraków. It features a matchup between Shakhtar Donetsk and HNK Rijeka, with both teams eager to secure vital points in the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage.
Based on recent form and historical performance, Shakhtar Donetsk is slightly favored to win or draw. The predicted goals are under 3.5, with a combined expected scoreline favoring Shakhtar by approximately two goals. The recommended bet mix is a double chance on Shakhtar or draw coupled with under 3.5 goals, reflecting their control and defensive solidity.
