Shakhtar Donetsk host AEK Athens at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, October 14 (3:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM CT / 12:00 PM PT).
No fresh fitness concerns have been flagged for either squad, so Shakhtar Donetsk should field their strongest available group: attacking midfielder Gleiker Mendoza, who scored in their last match, alongside fellow attacking midfielder Isaque Silva, with defensive midfielders Marlon Gomes Claudino and Oleh Ocheretko screening the back line and striker Lassina Traoré leading the line. AEK Athens, meanwhile, head into this with strikers Barnabás Varga and Luka Jović both in contention up front, midfielder Răzvan Marin pulling the strings behind them, and defenders Lazaros Rota and Filipe Relvas available at the back.
Both sides’ opening fixtures suggest this one stays tight. Shakhtar Donetsk shared the points in a 1-1 draw away at PSV, a result that leaves them on 1 point from 1 match, while AEK Athens banked a win worth 3 points and a +1 goal difference. Neither has looked like conceding freely so far, and that defensive discipline, set against two attacking outlets in Varga and Marin, points to few goals changing hands rather than an end-to-end shootout.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs AEK Athens: Best Bets & Predictions
AEK Athens arrive full of early-season confidence as Shakhtar Donetsk search for a first win in this section.
Our approach: we weigh each side's standings position, recent results and underlying player numbers — shots, chances created and minutes — to shape our Result, Correct Score, Both Teams to Score, Over/Under and Anytime Goalscorer picks, rather than leaning on reputation alone.
Odds correct at time of writing and shown in American format for illustration; your local odds may vary. 19+ (18+ in AB/MB/QC). Please play responsibly. ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (ON).
Season Form & Standings
Shakhtar Donetsk have 1 point from 1 match in this section, a 1-1 draw at PSV, while AEK Athens sit on 3 points from 1 game after an opening win that also left them with a +1 goal difference.
Champions League
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AEK Athens | 16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| Shakhtar Donetsk | 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Shakhtar Donetsk vs AEK Athens Predicted Lineups
Predicted XI — updated for the latest team news.
Shakhtar Donetsk
4-2-3-1AEK Athens
4-4-2Potential Match-Winners
- Gleiker Mendoza (Shakhtar Donetsk): The attacking midfielder scored Shakhtar Donetsk’s goal in their opening draw, finishing his 1 shot on target in 66 minutes on the pitch.
- Răzvan Marin (AEK Athens): Marin has scored 2 goals from 8 shots and created 7 chances across his early minutes, making him AEK Athens’ central creative and attacking threat.
- Barnabás Varga (AEK Athens): Varga has also found the net 2 times, backing up his 7 shots and 2 shots on target with end product up front.
Recent Form
Shakhtar Donetsk: D
- 2026-09-10: PSV 1-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (D, away)
Shakhtar Donetsk’s sole result was a 1-1 draw away at PSV on September 10, 2026.
AEK Athens: D W W
- 2026-09-08: AEK Athens 1-0 LASK (W, home)
- 2026-08-26: AEK Athens 4-0 Levski Sofia (W, home)
- 2026-08-18: Levski Sofia 0-0 AEK Athens (D, away)
AEK Athens’ recent sequence reads D, W, W: a 0-0 draw away at Levski Sofia, a 4-0 home win over Levski Sofia, and a 1-0 home win over LASK.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs AEK Athens Prediction
Expect a cagey, low-scoring night, with Shakhtar Donetsk’s defensive shape — built on 90 minutes each from Marlon Gomes Claudino and Oleh Ocheretko — keeping the hosts in it, but AEK Athens’ sharper early-season edge, shown by Răzvan Marin’s two goals and seven chances created, nudges this one their way. Our Signal model has it finishing 0-1 to AEK Athens.