Shakhtar Donetsk vs Real Madrid: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction

Real Madrid play their first fixture following the international break on Tuesday night, as they travel to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

Los Blancos are currently enduring their worst run of form of 2021/22 thus far, having lost their two previous matches.

Carlo Ancelotti's men were given a major shock when they fell to a 2-1 defeat to minoows Sheriff Tiraspol, before losing by the same score line to Espanyol in La Liga. Those are, however, Real's only defeats of the campaign to date, having previously demonstrated considerable firepower in the season's early stages.

The hosts come into the tie in solid form, not having lost in the Ukrainian Premier League since early August and currently sitting second with 26 points after 11 fixtures. They've had their struggles when it comes to European matters though, also falling short to Sheriff before drawing to Inter last time out, placing them bottom of Group D coming into matchday three.

Here's 90min's preview of this Champions League clash.

How to watch Shakhtar Donetsk vs Real Madrid on TV

When is kick off? Tuesday 19 October, 20:00 (BST)
Where is it being played? NSC Olimpiyskiy, Kiev
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport ESPN (UK), fuboTV (US)
Where to catch highlights? BT Sport YouTube channel (UK)
Who's the referee? Srdan Jovanovic
Who's the VAR? Christian Dingert

Shakhtar Donetsk team news

There are a few standout absentees for the hosts. 20-year-old striker Lassina Traore, who has already notched nine goals for Shakhtar this campaign, suffered a knee injury late last month and isn't expected to be fit before much later in the season.

Junior Moraes is also out of contention for Tuesday night's clash, while fellow attacking players Dentinho and Yevgen Konoplyanka are doubts for the visit of Real.

Real Madrid team news

After suffering from cramp and fatigue while on international duty with Belgium, Eden Hazard is a doubt for Tuesday night's clash. Ancelotti is reportedly keen to save his fitness for El Clasico on Sunday.

The Italian will also have to make do without Gareth Bale in his forward line. The Welshman is still not ready to come back into action, although has recently resumed training separately from the rest of the squad.

Dani Carvajal and Marcelo are other long-term absentees for Los Blancos while Eduardo Camavinga, Isco and Marco Asensio are doubts too.

Eder Militao is also unlikely to feature against Shakhtar, although there is some good news for Ancelotti's back line. David Alaba looks set to be available following doubts upon his return from the international break, while Ferland Mendy could come back into the matchday squad after recovering from injury.

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Real Madrid predicted lineups

Shakhtar Donetsk: Pyatov; Dodo, Marlon, Matviyenko, Ismaily; Stepanenko, Maycon; Tete, Patrick, Pedrinho; Fernando

Real Madrid: Courtois; Vazquez, Nacho, Alaba, Gutierrez; Casemiro, Valverde, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Real Madrid prediction

Champions League night; normally, you'd put your mortgage on the mighty Real Madrid coming away with a standard three points with a ruthless group stage performance. However, coming into Tuesday night's game off the back of two straight losses, there's pressure on Los Blancos to really turn a corner.

A shocking defeat to Sheriff on home soil last time out spelled a large bump in the side's European road, while a trip to Shakhtar is no enviable task. Despite not yet finding their feet in the Champions League this term, an emphatic start to domestic matters to tee up a two-horse title race with Dynamo Kiev demonstrates their quality.

Ancelotti will be as determined as anyone to not let those previous defeats spiral into something too noteworthy. It's an important night for Real Madrid and with the sheer star quality on show - notably an insatiable Karim Benzema leading the line - the likely outcome should be an away victory. You'd think, anyway.

Prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk 1-2 Real Madrid