Will Sheriff now make a splash in the EL?
Just a few months ago, Sheriff Tiraspol were playing in the top flight and mixing up the supposed group of death with Real, Inter and Donetsk. Because the Sheriff ran out of steam in the final spurt of the group phase, they ultimately “only” finished third with a total of seven points. But it was a small consolation, because the international adventure will now continue one level lower in the Europa League.
In the knockout phase of the second most important European Cup, Sheriff Tiraspol had the toughest possible draw in Sporting Braga. Despite home advantage, Sheriff is already the underdog against the Portuguese representative in the first leg. Betting fans who would like to bet on the hosts from Moldova in Sheriff Tiraspol vs Braga can pick up betting odds of over four if they are successful.
The record champions from Moldova have made it through the group stage of a European Cup for the first time in the club’s history and are in the knockout phase. Sporting Braga, on the other hand, are already regulars in the Europa League. It is therefore not at all surprising that the traditional Portuguese club is rated as favourites against the surprise team from Moldova.
Before the upcoming away match against FC Sheriff, Sporting Braga won three of their last four competitive matches, including the away game at last year’s champions from Lisbon. It is quite possible that the recent form curve will also be continued on the international stage.
Sheriff Tiraspol – Statistics & current form
The international fairytale of FC Sheriff Tiraspol is not over yet. Nevertheless, with the upcoming opponents, it is obvious that the adventure will end in the round of the last 32 of the Europa League. Because Sheriff has already made a splash in the top flight, including a win over Real Madrid, the record champions from Moldova remain confident despite the tough draw.
Internationally, FC Sheriff has already caused a sensation against some top-class teams, including in the qualifiers. The match against Sporting Braga will be a real test for the Moldovans. The first leg, in which FC Sheriff will benefit from home advantage, will be particularly decisive.
Since the defeat against Real Madrid, Sheriff Tiraspol have played two home games. Head coach Yuriy Vernydub’s side have won both home games, with the record-breaking Moldovan champions scoring a total of eleven goals and conceding none in both competitive matches.
Can Sheriff break down Braga’s defensive bulwark?
The importance of home advantage for the “Osy” can already be seen by looking at their international record this season. After all, FC Sheriff won five out of seven home matches. Only against Real Madrid and Inter Milan did the record champions from Moldova fail to win, but their home record across all competitions is quite respectable.
In the last 16 competitive matches at the Stadionul Sheriff, the Moldovans have won 14. If Vernydub’s team builds on this against the Portuguese and even wins the upcoming home match, odds of around 4.0 are paid out for tip 1 on Sheriff Tiraspol vs Braga. In terms of match practice, however, the upcoming opponent has the edge.
Since the second week of December, FC Sheriff has not played a competitive match. It is quite possible that the lack of match practice will be noticeable against Sporting. With Gustavo Dulanto and Edmund Addo, the record champions from Moldova have only two absentees in the sixteenth-final first leg.
Predicted line-up of Sheriff Tiraspol:
Athanasiadis; Costanza, Arboleda, Dulanto, Cristiano; Thill, Addo; Traore, Kolovos, Bruno; Yansane
Last matches played by Sheriff Tiraspol:
National Division
12/11 2021 – FC Sheriff 4 – 0 Zimbru
Champions League Grp. D
12/07 2021 – Shakhtar Donetsk 1 – 1 FC Sheriff
National Division
12/02 2021 – CS Petrocub 0 – 0 FC Sheriff
11/28 2021 – FC Sheriff 7 – 0 Dinamo-Auto
Champions League Grp. D
11/24 2021 – FC Sheriff 0 – 3 Real Madrid
Braga – Statistics & current form
Sporting Braga have successfully mastered the group stage of the Europa League. The Archbishops were beneficiaries of the loss of a point by Danish group rivals FC Midtjylland, who, like Braga, only picked up one point on the last matchday. For Sporting, the point in the group final against Belgrade was ultimately enough to defend second place on their own merits.
Unlike group winners FK Crvena zvezda, who will not start their knockout phase until the round of 16, Sporting Braga will face CL losers FC Sheriff in the last 32. Looking at Braga’s international history, a place in the last 16 of the Europa League is obvious.
After all, the archbishops have qualified for the sixteenth finals of the second most important European cup for the third time in a row. Sporting Braga are therefore bursting with experience and have picked a thoroughly feasible opponent in the Moldovans.
Will Braga set the course in the first leg?
Last season, head coach Carlos Carvalhal’s team lost to AS Roma. After a first and second leg defeat, the Archbishops from Braga finished with an overall score of 1:5. Nevertheless, the course of the international adventure so far is encouraging and gives reason for optimism.
It is quite possible that Sporting Braga will make it to the last 32 of the Europa League for the first time since the 2015/16 season. In the Europa League group stage, Sporting Braga only lost the two away games at Midtjylland and Red Star. On the other hand, Carvalhal’s team remained unbeaten in all three home games of the current EL.
The first leg in Tiraspol is therefore all the more important. If the Archbishops can avoid defeat at FC Sheriff, their ticket to the last 16 is within reach. Only Mineiro and Sequeira will be missing from the Portuguese side due to injury. There are no other absentees for the Archbishops.
Predicted line-up of Braga:
Matheus; Rodrigues, P.Oliveira, Leite; Fabiano, Musrati, A.Horta, Gomes; Medeiros, R.Horta; Ruiz
Last matches played by Braga:
Liga Portugal
02/12 2022 – Braga 2 – 1 Pacos de Ferreira
02/05 2022 – Vitoria de Guimaraes 2 – 1 Braga
01/30 2022 – Braga 2 – 0 Moreirense
01/22 2022 – Sporting CP 1 – 2 Braga
01/15 2022 – Braga 0 – 1 Maritimo
Sheriff Tiraspol – Braga Direct comparison / H2H balance
For the first time, the two clubs will meet on the international stage. FC Sheriff Tiraspol have never met a team from Portugal in the club’s history. The same is true for Braga, who will meet a club from Moldova for the first time.
Sheriff Tiraspol – Braga Tip
Sheriff Tiraspol are among the positive surprises in UEFA’s ongoing competitions. The Moldovans have not only made it to the group stage of the top flight for the first time in the club’s history, but also caused a stir in the group matches with surprise coups against Real Madrid & Co.
Although FC Sheriff took seven points in six group matches, the Moldovans “only” finished in third place.
The Portuguese are favourites to progress to the next round in the round of sixteen. Despite home advantage for FC Sheriff, the visitors from Braga are already clearly favoured in the first leg. After all, a win for the Portuguese archbishops only offers odds in the 2.00 range.
Although the role of favourite is understandable in view of Sporting Braga’s EL record, a surprise cannot be ruled out. Sheriff last played a competitive match just under two months ago, since when the Moldovans have been inactive. Accordingly, FC Sheriff is difficult to assess.
