Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Lineups, Prediction, Betting Picks & Odds

Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Game Preview

Inter Milan host Shakhtar Donetsk at San Siro in the Champions League on Wednesday, and this already feels like a game the hosts simply cannot afford to fumble.

Inter's two losses in all competitions this season both came in Europe, against Real Madrid and Club Brugge. That's an awkward look for the reigning Serie A and Coppa Italia double winners.

Shakhtar arrive on a six-game winning run in all competitions. They host their own Champions League games at Stamford Bridge, so a big stadium on the road won't rattle them.

History sides with the hosts. Inter are undefeated in their last 7 games against Shakhtar in all competitions, and anything less than a win here turns a stumble into a slump.

Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Recent Results

Domestically, Inter look like themselves. They came from behind to beat Bologna 3-1 at Renato Dall'Ara in Serie A on Saturday. Europe is the problem, with both of their season defeats coming in the Champions League, leaving them 31st in the standings. Marcus Thuram has to carry the attack with Lautaro Martínez sidelined.

Shakhtar's winning run in all competitions shows no sign of slowing down. Their strong Champions League start includes a 3-1 win over AEK Athens at Stamford Bridge, and they sit 14th in the standings. Pedrinho is the creative hub at the No. 10 spot, with Kevin Elias leading the line.

Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Lineups & Team News

Injuries & Suspensions

Inter Milan: C. Jones (Injured/out), J. Stones (Injured/out), L. Martínez (Injured/out), B. Pavard (Injured/out)

Shakhtar Donetsk: Eguinaldo (Injured/out), I. Azarovi (Injured/out)

Inter Milan

Lautaro Martínez is the big absence, so the probable lineup points to Thuram and Esposito up front in a 3-5-2. Hakan Çalhanoglu is likely to start in central midfield after being benched against Bologna, and Andy Diouf is expected to be recalled on the right.

Shakhtar Donetsk

Eguinaldo and Irakli Azarovi have both been ruled out. Pedrinho, Mykola Matvienko and Pedro Henrique were among several key players rested in the recent game against FC Kolos, and all three feature in the probable 4-2-3-1.

Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Predicted Lineup

Inter Milan

Formation: 3-5-2

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

Shakhtar Donetsk

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Starting Lineup: D. Riznyk, P. Henrique, M. Matviienko, V. Bondar, V. Tobias, O. Ocheretko, M. Gomes, Newerton, Pedrinho, A. Santana, K. Elias

Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Key Stats & Game Facts

• Inter have kept a clean sheet in 4 of their last 4 games vs Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
• Inter have failed to score in 3 of their last 4 games vs Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
• Lautaro Martínez, ruled out here, has attempted 2+ shots in 4 of his last 4 appearances vs Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Prediction & Best Picks

Our Prediction

Our prediction for this one is a 3-2 home win. Inter are -400 (Bet365) on the moneyline for good reason: Barella and Çalhanoglu should run the midfield, and Thuram and Diouf give them plenty of ways to score. Shakhtar's form means they'll land some punches of their own, but the hosts have too much quality to let this one get away.

Best Picks

Andy Diouf to score at any time, in the Anytime Goalscorer market. He is expected to start on the right of Inter's midfield in a home side projected to score heavily. This is our favorite of the best picks on this card in the Anytime Goalscorer market. With Lautaro Martínez out, someone has to pick up the scoring slack, and our projections like Diouf well above where the market has him. Inter are projected for 2.79 goals, and a probable starter arriving from midfield is a smart way to get a piece of that.

Yann Bisseck to commit over 1.5 fouls, in the Player Fouls market. He is a probable starter in Inter's back three. In the Player Fouls market, our projections like a center back who will spend the night stepping out to stop Shakhtar's runners more than the market does. This pick sits comfortably alongside an Inter win in a high-scoring game.

Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Same Game Parlay

Our same game parlay picks for this card combine an Inter moneyline win, Marcus Thuram to score anytime, both teams to score and Marlon Gomes to be shown a card.

Inter on the moneyline is the anchor. Our projections give the hosts a 74.18% win probability, and Shakhtar have yet to win any of the previous meetings.

With Lautaro Martínez sidelined, Thuram is the focal point of Inter's attack. He's a probable starter up front, which makes him first in line when the service comes in.

Shakhtar's winning run gives them enough attacking bite to find the net, and our projections put both teams scoring at 59.75%. That fits our call for a 3-2 game.

Gomes is a probable starter at holding midfield, and he'll spend long stretches chasing Barella and Çalhanoglu. That kind of workload tends to end with a yellow card.

Make sure to get the best odds on your Same Game Parlay with Oddschecker's Exclusive Same Game Parlay Comparison Tool.

Same Game Parlay odds correct at time of publishing.

Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Talking Points

At his pre-game press conference, Inter's head coach urged his squad to embrace the pressure and flagged Shakhtar's tactical organization and high intensity. He's right to be wary. Shakhtar are on the right side of the standings and Inter are not, and without Lautaro Martínez the hosts need Thuram and the recalled Diouf to deliver. The betting odds for this matchup still have Shakhtar as a +1100 (BetRivers) outsider. That price looks fair to us: Inter's quality should win out, even if the visitors make them work for it.

Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Predictions FAQs

When is the Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Champions League game?

The game kicks off at 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

Where is Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk being played?

The game is being played at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan.

Where can I watch Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk in the UK?

TNT Sport Extra is the listed UK channel for this game.

Who are the probable Inter Milan starters for this game?

Probable Inter Milan starters are J. Martínez, A. Bastoni, M. Akanji, Y. Bisseck, F. Dimarco, P. Zielinski, H. Çalhanoglu, N. Barella, A. Diouf, M. Thuram and F. P. Esposito, in a 3-5-2 formation.

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