Vilkhivtsi host Shakhtar Donetsk on 17 September 2026 at 15:00 in the Ukrainian Cup last 32. The Zakarpattia club, founded in 1969, only entered professional football in 2023 and joined the Second League in 2024. They sit bottom of their group with two points but have already upset Premier League side Chornomorets in the previous round. Shakhtar are the reigning Ukrainian champions and arrive unbeaten in three consecutive matches after beating Chornomorets 2-0 in their latest league fixture. The teams have never met before.
Form and H2H
Vilkhivtsi are winless in their last five matches and have conceded 1.47 goals per game over their last ten outings. Shakhtar won six of their last ten matches, drew three, and lost one, averaging 1.50 goals for and 0.50 against. Five of Shakhtar's last six matches finished with fewer than 2.5 goals. The visitors are likely to rotate their squad given a busy schedule ahead, but retain enough depth to control a Second League opponent. Vilkhivtsi's home advantage offers limited compensation for the gulf in squad quality.
Best bet
Under 4.5 total goals. Shakhtar should create enough chances to win comfortably but have no reason to maintain high tempo against a much weaker opponent. A controlled performance from the visitors, focused on managing energy once qualification is secured, points to a low-scoring affair. At 1xBet, the under 4.5 market sits at 1.01 for Shakhtar to win, reflecting their dominance.
Odds to watch
Shakhtar's away form and Vilkhivtsi's Second League status make the visitors heavy favourites. At 1xBet, Shakhtar are priced at 1.01, while a Vilkhivtsi upset sits at 41. A draw is available at 12. Mostbet offers 1.02 for Shakhtar, 26 for the home side, and 9.5 for the draw. The gap between home and away odds reflects the stark difference in pedigree.
Dnister Zalishchyky
Dinaz Vyshhorod
Chornomorets
Nyva Vinnytsya
Bratslav Vinnytsia
PSV Eindhoven
Karpaty
Polessya
FC Kharkiv
