Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk prediction, lineups and betting odds. Explore bet builder ideas and markets before Wednesday's Champions League tie.
Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Match Summary
Competition | Champions League |
|---|---|
Match Date | Wednesday 21 October 2026 |
Match Time | 20:00 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Milan, Stadio Giuseppe Meazza |
Broadcast (TV / Streaming / Radio / Bookmaker Streaming) | TNT Sport Extra |
Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk at San Siro on Wednesday night is a fixture the hosts cannot afford to get wrong, with Inter still searching for their first Champions League points.
Inter have lost just twice in all competitions this season, but both defeats came in this competition, against Real Madrid and Club Brugge. Christian Chivu needs a response, and quickly.
Shakhtar Donetsk arrive in far better shape after a strong start to the European campaign, and Arda Turan's side travel to Milan with only Eguinaldo and Irakli Azarovi ruled out.
The history favours the hosts. Across the previous meetings, Inter have won two. Four more finished level, and Shakhtar are still waiting for a first win in this fixture.
Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Form
Inter's domestic form is the reassuring bit. They came from behind to beat Bologna 3-1 in Serie A on Saturday, and they have won 6 of their last 10 matches against all opponents. Europe is the sore point, with both defeats this season coming in the Champions League. Marcus Thuram now carries the goal threat with Lautaro Martinez sidelined.
Shakhtar kept their strong European start going by beating AEK Athens 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. Domestically, several key players were rested against FC Kolos, which tells you exactly where the priorities lie this week. Pedrinho is the man to watch, operating in the number ten role behind K. Elias, and he comes in fresh.
Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Inter Milan: L. Martínez (Injured/out), C. Jones (Injured/out), J. Stones (Injured/out), B. Pavard (Injured/out)
Shakhtar Donetsk: Eguinaldo (Injured/out), I. Azarovi (Injured/out)
Inter Milan
Lautaro Martinez is the big absence, which leaves Marcus Thuram to lead the line alongside F. P. Esposito in the probable Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk lineups. Hakan Calhanoglu is set to return to the engine room after being benched against Bologna, and Christian Chivu is expected to recall Andy Diouf on the right.
Shakhtar Donetsk
Eguinaldo and Irakli Azarovi have both been ruled out. Pedrinho, Mykola Matvienko and Pedro Henrique were among the key players rested against FC Kolos, and all three come straight back into a probable 4-2-3-1 with K. Elias up top.
Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Predicted Lineup
Inter Milan
Formation: 3-5-2 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: J. Martínez; A. Bastoni, M. Akanji, Y. Bisseck; F. Dimarco, P. Zielinski, H. Çalhanoglu, N. Barella, A. Diouf; M. Thuram, F. P. Esposito (probable)
Shakhtar Donetsk
Formation: 4-2-3-1 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: D. Riznyk; V. Tobias, V. Bondar, M. Matviienko, P. Henrique; O. Ocheretko, M. Gomes; A. Santana, Pedrinho, Newerton; K. Elias (probable)
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Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Key Stats & Match Facts
Inter have kept a clean sheet in 4 of their last 4 matches against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
Shakhtar Donetsk have failed to score in 4 of their last 4 matches against Inter in the Champions League.
Inter have failed to score in 3 of their last 4 matches against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
Shakhtar Donetsk have kept a clean sheet in 3 of their last 4 matches against Inter in the Champions League.
Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: Inter 3-2 Shakhtar. The hosts are clear favourites at 1/4 with 10Bet and have more quality across the pitch, but do not expect a clean sheet. Even without Lautaro Martinez, Inter have enough up top to win this, yet Shakhtar arrive in good form and Inter's defence has already let them down in Europe this season. Inter to come out on top in an open, messy game.
Best Bets
Marcus Thuram to score at any time in the Anytime Goalscorer market. He is expected to lead the line for Inter with Lautaro Martinez out. Thuram heads our Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk best bets because his 57.3% scoring probability sits above the bookmakers' implied probability. Inter are projected for around 2.75 goals, and with Lautaro sidelined the finishing duty falls squarely on him.
Both Teams To Score: Yes. Shakhtar are projected to find a goal at San Siro in a high-scoring game. Both teams to score carries a 60.78% rating, sitting comfortably alongside a projected total of 3.8 goals. Shakhtar arrive in form, and an Inter side that has already come unstuck in Europe this season does not look built for a shutout.
Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Bet Builder
Our Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk bet builder tips combine an Inter win, Marcus Thuram to score anytime, both teams to score and Marlon Gomes to be shown a card.
Inter to win. The hosts carry a 73% win probability, Shakhtar have never beaten them in this fixture, and Chivu's side need the points far more.
Marcus Thuram to score anytime. He sits in the probable front pair with F. P. Esposito, and with Lautaro Martinez injured, Inter's goals have to run through him.
Both teams to score. This is the leg that asks Shakhtar to break a pattern against Inter, but their strong European start says they can find a goal.
Marlon Gomes to be shown a card. He is part of Shakhtar's probable double pivot with O. Ocheretko, which means a long night chasing Barella and Calhanoglu through the middle.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 12/1 and is as short as 9/1 elsewhere.
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Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Talking Points
Chivu has made no secret that victory is the priority after those European defeats, and the table explains why: Inter sit in the bottom six, with Shakhtar comfortably above them. Arda Turan, who recently affirmed his full commitment to Shakhtar, arrives with far less pressure on his shoulders. The Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk betting odds still lean heavily towards the hosts, and Shakhtar can be backed at 11/1 with AK Bets. The puzzle is the history. Inter have kept a clean sheet in their last 5 matches against Shakhtar in all competitions, yet we are backing goals at both ends. Current form beats old habits here, and this Inter side is not the stubborn unit that used to shut Shakhtar out.
Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Predictions FAQs
When is the Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Champions League game?
The match kicks off at 20:00 UK time on Wednesday 21 October 2026.
Where is Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk being played?
The match is being played at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan.
Where can I watch Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk?
The match is listed on TNT Sport Extra in the UK.
What competition is Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk in?
It is a Champions League match.
Disclaimer
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