Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Zira FKvs.Sheriff Tiraspol

sportsmole.co.uk, 16 July 2024, 14:52
Looking to overturn a one-goal deficit and advance into the next stage, Sheriff Tiraspol will travel to Zira FK on Thursday night for the second leg of their Europa League first-round qualifying clash.

The Eagles picked up a surprise 1-0 victory in Moldova last week, when European veterans Sheriff were taught a lesson by relative newcomers to the continental scene.

Match preview

For only the third time in their short history, Zira FK were victorious on the European stage last Thursday night, when Moldovan giants Sheriff were the hosts at Bolshaya Sportivnaya Arena and finished the game with their tails between their legs following a narrow defeat.

Despite having limited attacking moments in the contest, the visitors from Azerbaijan made them count by scoring with their only shot on target of the match, with left winger Davit Volkovi coming up with the finishing touch during the final minutes of normal time.

The Eagles come into this continental campaign off the back of a respectable 2023-24 term in the Azerbaijani Premier League, with Zira placing second in the division to earn a spot in the Europa League, finishing 15 points behind runaway champions Qarabag FK at the summit of the standings.

With the club celebrating its 10th birthday this year, it is no surprise that Zira are yet to win a major honour, although they did come mightily close last season in the Azerbaijani Cup before losing 2-1 in the final to Qarabag on June 2.

The hosts know that a clean sheet on Thursday night would guarantee their progression into the second qualifying round, and Rashad Sadyqov's side should be confident of recording a shoutout considering that they conceded just 11 goals in 18 league fixtures at home last season.

Arguably for the first time in over half a decade, Sheriff Tiraspol are not having things their own way on both the domestic and European stage, with Thursday's visitors requiring a win in Azerbaijan in the second leg to keep their hopes of a place in the next stage alive.

After winning six straight Moldovan top-flight titles between 2017 and 2023, the Wasps were unable to retain possession of the top prize last campaign, finishing six points behind Petrocub Hincesti following the post-season split.

An unsuccessful 12 months by the high standards of Sheriff resulted in a change of management recently, with Ukrainian coach Yury Gura now tasked with guiding the club back to the top of the Moldovan football, although the 47-year-old has endured a mixed start, losing two of his first three matches in charge.

The Tiraspol-based club were plying their trade in UEFA tournaments before Thursday's hosts Zira were born, with the Wasps set to play their 70th match in the Europa League this week, when they simply must earn their 15th victory in the competition.

Sheriff's best campaign on the continental stage undoubtedly arrived during the 2021-22 season, when the Wasps became the first-ever Moldovan club to reach the group stage of the Champions League before defeating 15-time champions Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabeu.

Zira FK Europa League form:

W

Sheriff Tiraspol Europa League form:

L

Team News

After keeping a clean sheet last time out, Zira should stick with a centre-back pairing of Ruan and 33-year-old Stephane Acka on Thursday night.

Volkovi's spot in the side is relatively secure after he bagged his maiden goal for the Eagles during the first leg, however Qarabag loanee Rustam Akhmedzade could drop out of the XI.

The 23-year-old could be replaced by youngster Salifou Soumah, who has experience of playing in the second tier of French football at Le Havre.

Following their failure to find the net a week ago, Sheriff are set to make some attacking alterations to their XI, with the likes of Jerome Mbekeli pushing for a start.

Rashed Al-Tumi has assumed the role of first-choice goalkeeper at the start of this European campaign, with the experienced Dumitru Celeadnic being forced to settle for a place on the bench.

Zira FK possible starting lineup:

Silva; Djibrilla; Acka, Nuriyev; Zebli, Ibrahimli, Aliyev; Utzig, Volkovi, Soumah

Sheriff Tiraspol possible starting lineup:

Al-Tumi; Benhiratche, Pata, Yade, Lins; Allach, Kyabou, Paulo; Akanbi, Mbekeli, Badolo

We say: Zira FK 1-1 Sheriff Tiraspol (Zira win 2-1 on aggregate)

After recording a solid win in the first leg, Zira will be confident of keeping the clean sheet at home required to book their spot in the next stage of the Europa League.

Previews by email

Top News

14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Locked together at the top of League C Group 1 with two games to play, Sweden and Slovakia will battle it out to take the outright lead when they meet on Saturday evening. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal will reportedly allow out-of-favour defender Jakub Kiwior to leave the club on loan in January. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wales travel to the Kadir Has Stadium in Kayseri to face Turkey in their penultimate League B Group 4 fixture in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday evening. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona midfielder Pablo Torre has not ruled out the possibility of leaving the club in January, after seeing his game time reduced recently. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to narrow their gap to the top two in the League One table with a third consecutive victory, Barnsley will visit the Abbey Stadium to take on Cambridge United on Saturday. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Alexander Isak has delivered a fresh update on his future at Newcastle United, amid reported interest from a number of clubs including Arsenal. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Roma have confirmed the appointment of 73-year-old Claudio Ranieri as their new first-team manager until the end of the season. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon has revealed that he was "desperate" to join Chelsea in 2022. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal could rival Manchester City and Liverpool for the signature of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly weighing up whether to make a move for in-form PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk As exquisite as Pedro Neto's equaliser was, the Portuguese's 20-yard leveller for Chelsea in Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw with Arsenal was arguably more to do with the Gunners' uncharacteristic defensive failings. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly made a decision over whether they will pursue a move for Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Estevao Willian has revealed that he will continue with his education even after completing a big-money transfer to Chelsea. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly going to give Real Sociedad "a long and hard winter" in their pursuit of midfielder Martin Zubimendi. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Embroiled in a fight against relegation to the UEFA Nations League's lowest level, Azerbaijan and Estonia will clash in Qabala on Saturday afternoon. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England captain Harry Kane has reportedly emerged as a late doubt for Thursday's UEFA Nations League meeting with Greece due to a knock. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is expected to be given the all-clear for Saturday's all-important UEFA Nations League clash with Hungary in Amsterdam. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Locked together on five points in League A Group 3 of the UEFA Nations League, the Netherlands and Hungary meet on Saturday in a winner-takes-all clash at the Johan Cruyff Arena. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both vying for promotion to the UEFA Nations League's top tier, Albania and League B Group 1 leaders Czech Republic will lock horns on Saturday evening. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona sporting director Deco has insisted that his club are not currently looking to bring in a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, with the striker in excellent form for the Catalan giants this season. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will be eyeing a debut for the Germany national team in Saturday's UEFA Nations League clash with Bosnia-Herzegovina in League A Group 3. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona sporting director Deco is confident that the club will be able to sign Pedri to a new long-term contract. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Needing just a point to all but guarantee a first-placed finish in League A Group 3 of the UEFA Nations League, Germany welcome Bosnia-Herzegovina to the Europa-Park Stadion in Freiburg on Saturday. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Christian Eriksen has revealed that he is 'yet to hear anything' from Manchester United over his future. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk As closely contested League B Group 1 nears its conclusion, promotion - and relegation - rivals Georgia and Ukraine will meet in Batumi on Saturday evening. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly considering making a move for Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Martin Baturina during the January transfer window. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With all eyes fixed on the January transfer market, clubs around the UK and Europe are already lining up potential mid-season moves. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With all eyes fixed on the January transfer market, clubs around the UK and Europe are already lining up potential mid-season moves. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Kazakhstan vs. Austria (Thursday, 3.00pm) Amid a three-way battle for promotion from League B Group 3, Austria aim to improve their prospects with a win on Thursday, when they meet Kazakhstan in the UEFA Nations League. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Athletico Paranaense can temporarily climb out of the Brasileiro Serie A relegation zone with a victory over Atletico Mineiro on Saturday at Arena de Baixada.