Sheriff Tiraspol will be looking to progress to the knockout rounds

In the group stage of the Europa League, which starts on Thursday, there are not only absolute top duels to watch. Some teams don’t exactly have a big name, but that’s also exactly what makes these duels so appealing

Before the match between Omonia Nicosia and Sheriff Tiraspol, the betting odds indicate a favourite role for the hosts. The Cypriots have slight advantages with the bookmakers and, of course, a home game with their own fans behind them.

Sheriff Tiraspol managed to surprise a little in the Champions League in pre-season and even won against Real Madrid. Accordingly, the ambitions of the guests are now big to play a good role in the Europa League as well. Kick-off is on Thursday at 9 p.m.

Omonia Nicosia – Statistics & current form

Omonia Nicosia from the Cypriot league have the goal of at least reaching third place in the Europe League this season. This would mean that the team would spend the winter in international competition and be relegated to the Conference League. But the experienced team with the large squad also has its sights set on second place. Neil Lennon is the experienced coach who has already experienced a lot internationally and can pass on his experience to the team.

The dress rehearsal before the season opener in the Europa League was a success, with Omonia Nicosia beating AEK Larnaca 3-2 at the weekend, a team that also plays in Europe. There were some changes in the squad in the summer, but the names were largely unknown. Bruno was signed by current opponents Sheriff Tiraspol, the most famous name is Roman Bezus, a Ukrainian offensive player. Omonia only spent around 2 million euros on players in the summer.

The start of the season went well. In the league there were three points from two games, in the domestic Supercup a defeat against Apollon Limassol. The games in the playoffs for the Europa League were both won against KAA Gent, both with 2:0. Overall, the team seems to be on course, but not everything is right yet. The consistency still needs to improve.

Omonia Nicosia: Spectacle is not the order of the day

The Cypriots want to rely on a stable defence in the Europa League. They haven’t managed that well in domestic competition so far, but against Gent they held the defence to zero twice. And: In four out of five games this season, not both teams scored, which then speaks a little for the fact that at least no spectacle will be offered.

The two defeats at the beginning of the season were rather surprising and unusual, because Omonia Nicosia has actually been playing at a stable high level for months. In the last 15 games, there have only been these two defeats at the start of the new season, otherwise almost only victories.

It has already been mentioned that it won’t be too spectacular when the hosts play. That is also the reason why, before the match Omonia Nicosia vs. Sheriff Tiraspol, our prediction is that less than 2.5 goals will be scored.

Predicted line-up of Omonia Nicosia:
Fabiano – Lang, Miletic, Panagiotou – Matthews, Kousoulos, Cassama, Diskerud, Lecjaks – Bezus, Ansarifard

Last matches played by Omonia Nicosia:

1st League
03/09/2022 – Omonia Nicosia 3 – 2 AEK Larnaca

29/08/2022 – Akritas Chlorakas 1 – 0 Omonia Nicosia

Europa League Qualification
25/08/2022 – Omonia Nicosia 2 – 0 KAA Gent

19/08/2022 – KAA Gent 0 – 2 Omonia Nicosia

Super Cup
13/08/2022 – Apollon Limassol 2 – 0 Omonia Nicosia

Sheriff Tiraspol – Statistics & current form

Sheriff Tiraspol from the Republic of Moldova was probably not really a household name for very few experts before last season. However, the team presented itself very well and beat Real Madrid in the Champions League, even away from home. Nevertheless, this could not of course ensure that numerous top players moved to Moldova.

The clubs that Sheriff uses already say a lot about where the journey is going at this club. The new arrivals came from Lausanne Sport, Top Oss, Valenciennes or Al-Fateh. The really big jumps are not possible, and you don’t earn very much money in this league either. Coach Stjepan Tomas, who took over in the summer, does not have an easy task ahead of him.

Advancing will also be a feat, as the opponents in this group are Manchester United and Real Sociedad. So Sheriff Tiraspol are definitely the underdogs in this group, but they have that in common with the hosts from Cyprus.

Sheriff Tiraspol hope for a positive start

With the strength of the group, Sheriff and Omonia already have to win their games against their direct rivals. But anyone who thinks that these teams will take an early risk because of that is likely to be mistaken. It will be more a case of avoiding mistakes. This is evident anyway when looking at Sheriff Tiraspol’s first games in the new season.

In the qualification for the Champions League, only just over one goal was scored per game, and that was also the case in the play-offs for the Europa League. Nationally, Sheriff has also not yet been able to provide the really big, spectacular games. Based on their performances so far this season, our value tip ahead of the Omonia Nicosia vs Sheriff Tiraspol match is that not both teams will score

Predicted line-up of Sheriff Tiraspol :
Koval – Guedes, Kiki, Radeljic, Heron – Addo, Kyabou, Ambri, Badolo, Diop – Viceu

Last matches played by Sheriff Tiraspol :

Super League
03/09/2022 – Dacia Buiucani 0 – 2 FC Sheriff

29/08/2022 – FC Sheriff 1 – 1 CS Petrocub

Europa League Qualification
25/08/2022 – FC Sheriff (3)0 – 0(2) Pjunik Erewan

Super League
21/08/2022 – FC Balti 0 – 3 FC Sheriff

Europa League Qualification
18/08/2022 – Pjunik Erewan 0 – 0 FC Sheriff

Omonia Nicosia – Sheriff Tiraspol Direct comparison / H2H record

There has not yet been a direct duel between these two teams. Therefore, there is no direct comparison data between Omonia Nicosia and Sheriff Tiraspol available yet

Omonia Nicosia – Sheriff Tiraspol Tip

Omonia Nicosia and Sheriff Tiraspol have to win this match already, because the other two teams in the group seem overpowering. Both stand more for a defensive focus and will apply it in the direct duel.

Therefore, before the match between Omonia Nicosia and Sheriff Tiraspol, our tip is that less than 2.5 goals will be scored.