Sheriff Tiraspol vs Zira FK Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 09/07/2024, 13:00  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 10/07/2024 at 02:37 in Europa League Predictions

The first qualifying round of the Europa League sees Sheriff Tiraspol take on Zira. This first leg is at home for Sheriff with the return leg on July 18. For the winners of this tie, there's a second qualifying round match against either Elfsborg or Pafos. Let's take a deeper look at this clash between The Wasps and The Eagles and offer a mach prediction.

It's unusual for Sheriff to start the season in the Europa League. They're more used to the Champions League but last season saw them fail to win the Moldovan Super Liga. That ended a run of eight successive league titles.

They haven't played since May but will hope to continue their impressive home form. Nine games have been played without defeat since being beaten by Slavia Prague in last season's Europa League group stages. That was despite leading the game 2-1. The Yellow-Blacks will be hoping for another successful season in European competition. Not since 2021 have they failed to make it to the group stages and famously won at Real Madrid three years ago.

Zira finished second in last season's Azerbaijan Premier League. It was a very distant second place though with them finishing 25 points behind champions Qarabag. They're a relatively new club and were only formed ten years ago.

The Eagles are playing in European competition for only the third time. Only one tie has been won and they've never been further than the second qualifying round of a European tournament. They've failed to win their last four European games and we tip Sheriff to win this match.