Which Side Will See Its Unbeaten Run End in London? Shakhtar vs AEK Athens Prediction | October 14, 2026
Shakhtar Donetsk host AEK Athens at Stamford Bridge in London on October 14 in the second round of the Champions League league phase. Both sides arrive in good form, with lengthy unbeaten runs and impressive defensive records in their domestic leagues. Having never met in an official European competition, making this an intriguing encounter.
Shakhtar Donetsk
Shakhtar have made a strong start to the season, suffering just one defeat in the Ukrainian Premier League. After eight rounds, they lead the table with 21 points, having scored 18 goals and conceded only four. The Ukrainian side have also won four consecutive matches across competitions and kept four straight clean sheets, underlining their current defensive strength.
In their Champions League opener, Shakhtar drew 1–1 away to PSV, earning their first point in the league phase. They will now look to build on that result in a nominal home fixture in London. Last season, the Ukrainian champions reached the Conference League semi-finals, where they lost to eventual winners Crystal Palace.
- Shakhtar Possible Lineup: Riznyk, Tobias, Bondar, Matvienko, Pedro Henrique, Ocheretko, Alisson, Marlon Gomes, Isaque Silva, Mendoza, Kaua Elias.
AEK Athens
AEK Athens have also enjoyed a productive start to the campaign. After qualifying for the Champions League by overcoming Levski Sofia, the Greek side opened the league phase with a 1–0 victory over LASK. They have since continued to collect positive results, winning their last three matches.
AEK sit second in the Greek league after six matches, with 14 points, 16 goals scored and just three conceded. Their overall unbeaten run in regular time has reached 12 matches, reflecting a balance between attacking efficiency and defensive organisation. Last season, AEK reached the Conference League quarter-finals before losing to Rayo Vallecano. Their step up to the Champions League presents a tougher challenge, but their early-season results suggest they can compete.
- AEK Possible Lineup: Brignoli, Rota, Moukoudi, Relvas, Pilo, Majer, Marin, Vitalis, Koita, Jovic, Kairinen.
Head-to-Head
Shakhtar and AEK have never met in an official European competition. Their only known previous encounter took place in a friendly in the summer of 2023, when AEK won 5–0.
Key Trends
- Shakhtar have won 4 consecutive matches.
- Shakhtar are unbeaten in their last 6 games.
- Shakhtar have kept 4 consecutive clean sheets.
- AEK have won their last 3 matches.
- AEK are unbeaten in 12 consecutive matches in regular time.
- Shakhtar have conceded four goals in eight league matches, while AEK have conceded three in six.
Prediction
Both teams have built their early-season success on defensive consistency. Shakhtar’s four consecutive clean sheets stand out, while AEK have conceded just three times in six league matches and began their Champions League campaign with a narrow win over LASK. The neutral venue in London adds another layer of uncertainty, as Shakhtar will not enjoy the usual advantage of playing at home. With both sides in good form and neither giving much away defensively, a cautious opening is plausible. Unless an early goal forces the game to open up, clear chances could be limited as both teams look to avoid a costly mistake. Recommended Bet: Under 3 Total Goals.
