Shakhtar Donetks vs AEK Athens prediction 14.10.2026 | Champions League

Shakhtar Donetsk dominates Ukraine's top league. They've won four of the last five domestic titles and are major favorites to secure more silverware this season. Arda Turan's team was excellent this season. In the Ukrainian league, they lead the standings with 21 points from eight matches, while in the Champions League, Shakhtar Donetsk drew 1-1 with PSV in the opening round in Eindhoven. Turan's team are in excellent form with four consecutive wins and an 11:0 goal difference across all competitions. In the previous game, Shakhtar Donetsk won 3-0 on the road against Veres-Rivne. The visitors dominated, and their victory never came into doubt. 

The Ukrainian league is slightly less competitive for obvious reasons. However, we shouldn't overlook Shakhtar's impressive attack and 18 goals scored in eight matches. At the same time, Turan's team is the best attacking side, but also the best defensively, with only four goals conceded.

Shakhtar Donetsk doesn't have big problems with missing players. Only Irakli Azarov and Alaa Ghram are unavailable for Wednesday's night tie against AEK Athens. 

Last year, AEK Athens won their 14th Greek national league title and returned to the Champions League, the most elite continental competition. AEK seems even better in the 2026/27 campaign, so they hope for another domestic trophy, while in the Champions League, Marko Nikolic's team would be very satisfied to sneak into the top 24 teams. 

AEK Athens are excellent this season. In the Greek Super League, they have a 4-2-0 record and trail league leader Panathinaikos by one point. In the Champions League, Nikolic's team beat LASK Linz 1-0 in Athens in the opening round. AEK are on a three-game winning run. In the most recent outing, they won 3-0 at home against OFI Crete. That was another impressive performance, especially defensively, as AEK allowed only 0.21 xG to the guests. 

AEK Athens will be without their first-choice goalkeeper, who is recovering from a hand injury. In his absence, Alberto Brignoli will continue to start. The good news for Nikolic's side is that Barnabas Varga, one of the squad's most important players, will travel to London for the game against Shakhtar and should be an option. However, given his prolonged absence, the Hungarian striker will likely have to wait for a chance from the bench.