Preview: Sheriff Tiraspol vs. KI Klaksvik - prediction, team news, lineups

While the teams have the consolation prize of a Europa Conference League group-stage spot already secured, they will want to participate in the secondary continental competition.

Match preview

Given their exploits in Europe in recent seasons, there is a real desire in the Sheriff Tiraspol ranks to ensure that they remain as permanent dark horse on the continent.

Defeating Real Madrid at the Bernabeu and reaching the last 16 of a European tournament would have once been beyond their wildest dreams, yet they are now bidding to maintain continuity on the continent.

However, despite being favourites in this tie, Roberto Bordin's side have much work ahead having been held to a 1-1 draw in the Faroe Islands last week.

Patrick Da Silva gave KI the lead shortly after the half-time interval, with Sheriff reliant on an equaliser from Jerome Ngom Mbekeli 17 minutes from time.

Although Sheriff will fancy their chances of prevailing in Moldova, their form has been far from perfect in August, winning just four of eight games in all competitions.

Their solitary defeat during that period came on Sunday as they went down 2-0 to new top-flight leaders Milsami, suggesting that KI may have a window of opportunity to create history.

KI have only ever appeared in a playoff round of a continental competition on one occasion in their history, and dropping down into the Europa Conference League would still represent one of the biggest achievements in their history.

That said, full focus will be on staying in the Europa League, where at least one game with a European powerhouses such as Liverpool, Roma or Villarreal could await them.

Magne Hoseth witnessed his side end a four-match winless streak in all competitions at the weekend as they edged out EB/Streymur by a 3-2 scoreline, and their head coach will hope that the 90th-minute winner in that fixture is the catalyst that they required ahead of this match.

Sheriff Tiraspol Europa League form:

W

D

D

Sheriff Tiraspol form (all competitions):

KI Klaksvik Europa League form:

D

KI Klaksvik form (all competitions):

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Team News

On the back of losing in domestic action at the weekend, Bordin has decisions to make regarding his Sheriff Tiraspol XI.

The likelihood is that the majority of the team from the first leg will start, although Ricardinho's assist as a substitute puts him in contention to return in a creative role.

Cedric Badolo or David Ankeye would likely miss out depending on whether Bordin wants to play with one or two centre-forwards.

Hoseth made widespread changes to his KI side at the weekend and will almost certainly revert back to the team that started the first leg.

Latif Ahmed and Johan Josephsen were among the players who failed to make a notable impression in the Faroe Islands top flight.

Goalkeeper Jonathan Johansson was rested for the fixture against EB/Streymur and will return between the sticks.

Sheriff Tiraspol possible starting lineup:

Koval; Zohouri, Garananga, Kiki, Tovar, Artunduaga; Joao Paulo, Ademo; Ricardinho; Ngom Mbekeli, Ankeye

KI Klaksvik possible starting lineup:

Johansson; Vatnsdal, Forren, Faero; Danielsen, Andreasen, Pavlovic, Da Silva; Frederiksberg, Kassi, Gussias

We say: Sheriff Tiraspol 2-0 KI Klaksvik (Sheriff Tiraspol to win 3-1 on aggregate)

With Sheriff far from their best in recent weeks, KI will fancy their chances of causing the upset. However, we can only back the team with the more recent European pedigree, leading us to product a hard-earned victory for the home team.

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