Shakhtar Donetsk have never featured in the knockout stages of the Champions League but things could change this campaign. With 12 points from five matches in Group H, the Ukrainians are in pole position and need just a point from tonight's match to go through.
Even a defeat will see the Miners progress and create history as long as Arsenal do not register a victory against Partizan. Nevertheless, Mircea Lucescu's side will attempt to go for all three points at the Donbass Arena and will hope that playing at home accentuates their confidence.
However, Shakhtar haven't played since November 28 and they will be looking to shake off the rust early on tonight, with Lucescu saying, "It was very difficult to fill the ten-day pause after our last league match. We could have prepared for the match in Turkey, but the weather meant we stayed in Donetsk.
"After so much training the lads are really eager to play, but there's always a danger of losing your competitive rhythm."
Lucescu is also aware of Braga's quality and opines, "You will not see the Braga who started the tournament with two defeats. They have improved their game and have won their last three Champions League matches with clean sheets. I think they've decided to concentrate on their European campaign."
Hope Lingers On
Braga weren't given much of a chance of progressing from this group at the start of the campaign but their 2-0 defeat of Arsenal in Portugal on Matchday 5 turned things on the head and placed them level on points with the Premier League giants.
With nine points from five games, the Portuguese side need to better Arsenal's result on the night to go through. With the Gunners taking on point-less Partizan, Braga need to realise that the English team will be favourites to go through but they have to win tonight to inflate their chances.
Braga, though, haven't won away from home this season and it will be a challenge for them to register a victory in Ukraine tonight. However, coach Domingos Pacienca remains confident despite Shakhtar's formidable home form.
"It's extremely hard to think of a more difficult task than having to win 4-0 against a team that hasn't lost at home for two years, but anything is possible in football," said Pacienca. "You always take to the pitch with the desire to win; that's our goal. I say, 'let's do our best to achieve it and see what happens'".
"We'll use the same tactics and strategy we did at home against Shakhtar when a 3-0 defeat wasn't a fair result. We dominated for 75 minutes and the only reason we failed to score was because of a fantastic performance of Shakhtar goalkeeper [Andriy] Pyatov. The first Shakhtar goal that night broke our rhythm."
TEAM NEWS
Shakhtar Donetsk
Fernandinho broke his leg in September and remains on the sidelines. Henrik Mkhitaryan is fit, though, after a viral infection.
Braga
Elderson and Paulao are unavailable because of thigh strains and Matheus has a pain in his left knee. Felipe is still struggling with his thigh problem.
Prediction
Shakhtar have a formidable home record and Braga are poor travellers. Which points to one thing: a victory for the Ukrainian side.
Shakhtar 2-0 Braga 
