Borussia Dortmund might have given up on the Bundesliga title but Champions League glory is well within their sights and the Germans should not be underestimated.
Having topped the Group of Death, at the chief expense of Manchester City, Dortmund really impressed and they will have been satisfied enough with drawing the Ukrainians.
Jurgen Klopp’s side took four points off both the Premier League champions and Real Madrid en route to the last 16 and their weekend implosion against Hamburg is best ignored.
Trailing Bayern Munich by 15 points already, Dortmund had Robert Lewandowski sent off after half an hour and Klopp will have had both eyes firmly fixed on Wednesday’s trip to Donetsk.
Having scored seven goals in their three Champions League away games this term there is little worry about Dortmund settling for a draw on the road and they will be buoyed by their hosts lack of competitive action.
Shakhtar face very little competition domestically anyway and have not played a meaningful fixture since a last-day 1-0 reversal versus Juventus in early December due to their winter break.
That must be a concern despite a host of friendlies and Shakhtar failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last five group matches.
Runners-up behind the Italians, Dortmund are a step up from Serie A champions and I think the visitors might have too much for their hosts.
2pts Back Borussia Dortmund Draw No Bet (vs. Shakhtar) @ 2.00 (various)