Burkina Faso
Nigeria
South Korea
United Arab Emirates

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
Show more

Top News

20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni will be looking for someone to step up in Lionel Messi's absence in Friday's 2026 World Cup qualifying clash against Uruguay. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Argentina have confirmed Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez has withdrawn from the squad due to injury. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly identified Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni as a possible replacement for Virgil van Dijk. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk As part of their preparation for the World Cup Qualifiers, Northern Ireland are set to host Switzerland at Windsor Park for a friendly match on Friday. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni will be looking for someone to step up in Lionel Messi's absence in Friday's 2026 World Cup qualifying clash against Uruguay. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Paris Saint-Germain have been touted as a possible destination for Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk, who is currently set to leave the club for free in the summer. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Argentina will resume their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign when they travel to Montevideo for Friday's clash against Uruguay. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly interested in the signature of RB Leipzig attacker Xavi Simons, with the club having failed to impress in the final third under Ruben Amorim. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Poland will hope to get their World Cup 2026 qualification campaign off to a strong start when they welcome Lithuania to Stadion Narodowy in their first group stage game on Friday. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has been handed another potentially concerning injury scare, as Ryan Gravenberch has been forced to withdraw from the Netherlands squad. 19 March 2025 talksport.com Crawley Town have sacked Rob Elliot ahead of their final nine games to secure League One survival. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk In their first group stage game of their World Cup qualification campaign, Malta will host Finland at Ta'Qali National Stadium on Friday. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Algeria will aim to go a step closer to securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup when they clash with Botswana at Francistown Stadium on Friday. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Following in the footsteps of Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello as England's third permanent foreign manager, Thomas Tuchel takes charge for the first time when Albania stop over at Wembley on Friday. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Ecuador will welcome Venezuela to the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado in Quito for Friday's 2026 World Cup qualifier. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Officials from Manchester United and Real Betis will reportedly meet next week to discuss Antony's future, with another loan move for the 2025-26 campaign believed to be a serious option. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly considering making a move for Feyenoord defender Givairo Read during this summer's transfer window. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Galatasaray chief Abdullah Kavukcu has said that Victor Osimhen will inform the Turkish giants in April whether he is open to joining them on a permanent basis during this summer's transfer window. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Lille midfielder Angel Gomes on a free transfer this summer. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers are allegedly among the clubs who have made an offer for Corinthians attacker Yuri Alberto. 19 March 2025 talksport.com Gateshead's potential takeover reportedly involves a former Premier League striker. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly prepared to offer new contracts to Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri following their first-team breakthrough this season. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United will reportedly scout Ipswich Town's Liam Delap and Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike on Friday evening, as the pair prepare to go head-to-head for their respective national teams. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio is reportedly on the verge of signing a new deal with Los Blancos. 19 March 2025 talksport.com Alan Shearer believes he would 'absolutely' make the current England squad in his prime. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Meeting for just the seventh time, England and Albania will clash in World Cup qualifying this week, as both take their first step on the road towards the 2026 finals. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr are reportedly prepared to launch a move to sign Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes. 19 March 2025 talksport.com Manchester United have identified their 'most likely' striker target for the summer. 19 March 2025 talksport.com Chelsea and England hero John Terry was in the talkSPORT studio on Wednesday morning to tackle a wide range of topics in football. 19 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Romania will be aiming to make it seven straight wins in all competitions when they open their World Cup 2026 qualification campaign with a home fixture against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday night.