Will the Sheriff strike again?

Last season, FC Sheriff made a name for themselves on the European stage. Among other things, the underdogs, who were the first Moldovan team ever to make it to the group stage of the Champions League, beat eventual title holders Real Madrid. Even if they didn’t make it to the top flight this year, the Europa League is of course a great thing for the men from Tiraspol.

Especially, of course, when one of the biggest clubs in the world, Manchester United, travels to Moldova, as it did on Thursday evening. The fact that far lower odds are being offered on the away win ahead of the Sheriff Tiraspol vs. Manchester United clash is perfectly understandable given the difference in team strengths. However, the English should not take the task in Transnistria lightly.

On the one hand, the home side have made a very good start to this Europa League group stage thanks to their 3-0 win in Nicosia. On the other hand, there is already some pressure on the Red Devils’ shoulders.

After the 1-0 defeat against Real Sociedad the week before, the English record champions are almost condemned to win in order not to be left behind in Group E from the start. Even before the Sheriff Tiraspol vs. Manchester United match, however, we dare to predict that CR7 & Co. will ultimately qualify for the next round in first or second place.

Sheriff Tiraspol – Statistics & current form

Just two years ago, Sheriff Tiraspol were largely a blank slate on the European football map. But that changed abruptly in the pre-season when, after sensational qualifying victories against Red Star Belgrade and Dinamo Zagreb, the Moldovans booked their ticket to the Champions League group stage for the first time.

There, the Moldovans started with two wins against Shakhtyor Donetsk and Real Madrid, but were only able to record one more point in the further course. Nevertheless, they continued in third place in the Europa League, where they even had the Portuguese top club Braga on the brink of elimination after a 2-0 first leg victory in front of their home crowd. In the end, however, the international adventure ended in the play-off second leg and only after a penalty shoot-out.

The Sheriff can be trusted to score

This season, Viktoria Pilsen turned out to be a bit too strong in the third qualifying round for the premier league. Nevertheless, they at least managed to make it into the Europa League group stage against Pyunik. There, the Moldovans got off to a perfect start, winning 3-0 in Nicosia the previous week. They now want to improve on this in their second group match.

The good record in front of the home crowd gives hope for a positive result. In a review of the past twelve home matches on the international stage since the start of the 2021/22 season, there have only been three defeats – against Inter Milan, Viktoria Pilsen and Real Madrid.

In ten of the twelve matches in front of their own fans, they have scored at least one goal. In the domestic league, too, the offensive output of 14 goals after seven games (five wins, two draws) is very impressive. We therefore believe that between Sheriff Tiraspol and Manchester United the odds on both teams scoring are too high and therefore bring exciting value.

Predicted line-up of Sheriff Tiraspol:
Koval; Zohouri, Kiki, Radeljic, Kpozo; Badolo, Kyabou, Diop; Ouattara, Atiemwen, Akanbi

Last matches played by Sheriff Tiraspol:

Super League
11/09/2022 – FC Sheriff 2 – 0 FC Milsami Orhei

Europa League Grp. E
09/09/2022 – Omonia Nicosia 0 – 3 FC Sheriff

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

Manchester United – Statistics & current form

A throwback to old times was Manchester United’s first Europa League match last Thursday. The English side lost 1-0 at home to Spanish club Real Sociedad and lacked any offensive punch. Although the Basques, along with the Red Devils, are considered to be the hottest contenders for a place in the group, the situation has already worsened before the second group game.

Erik ten Hag’s team should get the first three points in Moldova and live up to their role as favourites. The fact that the English team had the weekend off due to the cancellation of the Premier League matchday and could prepare for the task in Transnistria for a longer period of time gives them confidence. However, the long and usually arduous journey will not leave the players completely unscathed.

How seriously are United taking the Europa League?

For this reason, among others, we believe that United will have a good chance of leaving the pitch as winners, but we would not bet on the away win coming with a high or clear result. Instead, we do not rule out the possibility that keeper de Gea will have to fish the ball out of the net at least once again. The Spaniard has only managed to keep his clean sheet in two of the seven games he has played so far.

We expect the star ensemble from the industrial city to control and dominate the match. However, they will not always be able to prevent counter-attacks against the fast top players of their opponents. Accordingly, a prediction that the favourite will play to nil between Sheriff Tiraspol and Manchester United is not an option for us – also in view of the low prices. Even a bet on the underdog scoring the first goal of the match seems extremely interesting due to the top odds of 5.00.

In terms of personnel, it will be interesting to see whether the Dutch coach will stick to his “loser” eleven from the previous week against Real Sociedad or whether he will recall some of his key players after the weekend off. Bruno Fernandes, Varane, Martinez, McTominay and Sancho were all on the bench from the start against the Spaniards. It is unlikely that ten Hag will take such a big risk again. A treble on Thursday is too important for the rest of the season on the European stage.

Predicted Manchester United line-up:
De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Eriksen, McTominay; Antony, Fernandes, Sancho; Rashford

Last matches played by Manchester United:

Europa League Grp. E
09/09/2022 – Manchester United 0 – 1 Real Sociedad

Premier League
04/09/2022 – Manchester United 3 – 1 FC Arsenal

02/09/2022 – Leicester 0 – 1 Manchester United

27/08/2022 – Southampton 0 – 1 Manchester United

23/08/2022 – Manchester United 2 – 1 Liverpool FC

Sheriff Tiraspol – Manchester United Direct comparison / H2H balance

Logically, the two clubs have never faced each other in a competitive match. For Manchester United, it is even the historic first meeting with a club from Moldova. At least here, the sheriff from Transnistria is a bit ahead of the record champions, as Tiraspol have already played two matches against a Premier League team. In 2013/14, they lost the first and second legs against Tottenham in the Europa League group stage (0:2, 1:2).

Sheriff Tiraspol – Manchester United Tip

Fans of Moldovan champions Sheriff Tiraspol have not been able to complain about a shortage of cracker games since the start of pre-season. After hosting Real Madrid and Inter Milan in Transnistria in 2021/22, the next world-class club is Manchester United.

Of course, Sheriff Tiraspol will be underdogs against Manchester United according to the betting odds, but the Moldovan champions should not be underestimated. On the one hand, because of the performances in the pre-season, on the other hand because of the sovereign 3-0 victory at Omonia Nicosia last week. In addition, it should be kept in mind that English clubs do not always attach the greatest importance to the Europa League.

We have therefore decided to bet on both teams to score between Sheriff Tiraspol and Manchester United.