Group D action in the Champions League continues on Tuesday as Real Madrid go to Shakhtar Donetsk on Matchday 3. Los Blancos are in second place in the group with a 1-0-1 record, aiming to rebound from that shocking home defeat to Sheriff. Shakhtar, meanwhile, are 0-1-1 and hope to land their first three points of the round against a Real Madrid team they actually beat twice last year in the group stage.
Here’s how you can watch the match and what to know:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 19 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Olimpiyskyi National Sports Complex– Kiev, Ukraine
- TV and live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Shakhatar +460; Draw +320; Real Madrid -175 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Featured Game | Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Real Madrid
Storylines
Shakhtar: The hosts enter the game fairly healthy aside from still missing Yevhen Konoplyanka. On a six-match unbeaten streak, they are coming off a 6-1 win over Zorya Luhanka on Friday and should be well rested. The fact that they’ve beaten Real in their last two meetings will give them the confidence to do it again here, but they must zero in on Karim Benzema in attack and keep him in front of the defenders at all times.
Real Madrid: Dani Carvajal and Isco both are still injured, but the good news is that this squad will be well rested. While it is a busy week with El Clasico on Sunday, Real haven’t played since a 2-1 loss to Espanyol on Oct. 3. That break, they’ll hope, will be what gets them back on track after back-to-back losses and no wins in their last three contests. They already got a win at Inter Milan to start the group stage, and getting another here will have them in a great spot with three games to go.
Prediction
Los Blancos come through to take command of the group with Karim Benzema scoring and assisting another. Pick: Real Madrid 2, Shakhtar 1
