Shakhtar hosts AEK in London because of war in Ukraine

Shakhtar Donetsk hosts AEK Athens in London on Wednesday in a Champions League match at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge.

War prevents matches from being played in Ukraine, so the Ukrainian club is hosting thousands of kilometres from Donetsk.

The fixture is formally a home game for Shakhtar, but the team cannot play in its own city.

Both clubs arrive in good form, each with four wins and a draw in their last five matches.

AEK is unbeaten this season, while Shakhtar has won seven, drawn one and lost one in nine matches, according to one preview.

The teams are 18th and 15th in the league phase, respectively, and both need points to improve their chances of reaching the knockout rounds.

Playing in London reduces Shakhtar’s home advantage, and the previews point to the teams’ recent form and ability to control the match as key factors.