Artem Frankov: "Zorya's victory over Shakhtar will put them in contention not only for the Champions League, but also for the ti

Renowned Ukrainian journalist Artem Frankov has shared his prediction for the central match of the 28th round of the Ukrainian championship between Luhansk Zorya and Shakhtar Donetsk to take place today in Kyiv.

"The final rounds of the Ukrainian military championship have arrived, which in itself is a glorious thing! Special thanks to its participants, who in most cases have something to fight for, that is, there is INTREGATION and INTEREST. This applies to the participants in the upcoming clash, and I would not be so bold as to say that Shakhtar is the bigger side.

The position in the group of leaders with three rounds to go is as follows: Shakhtar - 66, Dnipro 1 - 64, Zorya - 61. Other teams take part in this race very formally, the more so as neither Dynamo (53 points), nor Oleksandriia (42) meet with the runners-up in these rounds. And let's look at the whole schedule!

"Shakhtar play Zorya (which is what we are talking about), Dnipro 1 and Vorskla.

"Zorya play Shakhtar, Oleksandriya and Minaya.

"Dnipro-1" - with "Vorskla", "Shakhtar" and "Kryvbas".

In other words, a win for Zorya (quite possible, this is not the old times - the new teams played 2-2 in Kyiv) includes the team not just in a very attractive financial struggle for the Champions League, but also in a fight for the title - given Shakhtar's schedule! Oh, how tasty - and not just the whole of Luhansk would have gathered for such a match, but Kyiv would have been present as well... A pity, a terrible pity.

As for football itself: Zorya will do everything to stop Shakhtar, and a third side (a draw) could well win it. After Vernidub's sudden defeat... sorry, from Kryvbas on April 7 (0-1), Patrick van Leeuwen's team have won seven games in a row, and before that they won four (taking into account only 2023!). That is 11 out of 12 wins - and for sure, the team are burning desire to continue this raid.

On the other hand, Shakhtar also have not wasted any time, and if they have, it's only in case of draws with the especially gifted.

My bet: eh, I won't break my own rule - you have to bet against sympathy, either way you stand to win: either money or positive emotions; I'll take Shakhtar's win, all the more so under that diagnosis quite reasonable considerations", said Frankov.