Sheriff Tiraspol vs Real Sociedad Match Analysis and Prediction

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Moldovan champions Sheriff Tiraspol host Spanish opposition at the Sheriff Stadium for just the second time in their history, as they face Real Siciedad in the Europa League on Thursday.

Both teams made it to the knockout playoffs stage of this competition last season, as the hosts lost to Braga on penalties while the visitors were eliminated by RB Leipzig.

With Sheriff Tiraspol having won 20 of the last 22 Moldovan Championships, they look well on track to repeat the feat this season, having opened up a six-point lead over the competition with a third of the campaign played.

A 3-0 win over Sfintul Gheorghe made it four league matches without conceding for Sheriff, with 20 games unbeaten, last allowing Moldovan opposition to score when rivals Petrocub took a second-minute lead against them back in August.

Competing in the Europa League this season, Sheriff stormed to the top of the group after an impressive 3-0 victory over Omonia Nicosia, before suffering a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United.

The European underdogs are currently a completely different side from the one that shocked the world last season, with their unbelievable 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Following their impressive, if controversial, 1-0 victory over Manchester United at the Old Trafford, Real Sociedad are top of Group E, after two narrow wins from two.

Imanol Alguacil’s side built a reputation as one of Spain’s stingier sides last in 2021-22, conceding just nine goals on home ground throughout the entire league campaign, with eight of their 10 home victories ending 1-0 to the Txuri-Urdin.

However, with nine goals scored in their last three matches, including a thrilling 5-3 victory at Girona on Sunday, Real Sociedad have turned on the style in recent weeks, despite the depature of Alexander Isak to Newcastle United and the long-term injury of Umar Sadiq.

Sheriff Tiraspol vs Real Sociedad head to head

These two teams have not previously met in any competition and this will be their first meeting in the Europa League group stages.

Sheriff Tiraspol latest home form

Sheriff Tiraspol have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their seven most recent matches. They defeated Sfintul Gheorghe 3-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded three.

Sheriff 1-1 Petrocub 29/08/22

Sheriff 2-0 Milsami 11/09/22

Sheriff 0-2 Manchester United 15/09/22

Sheriff 0-0 Zimbru 18/09/22

Sheriff 3-0 Sfintul Gheorghe 02/10/22

Sheriff Tiraspol latest away form

Sheriff Tiraspol have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their four most recent matches. They defeated Omonia Nicosia 3-0 in their last away game in the Europa League. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded two.

Viktoria Plzen 2-1 Sheriff 09/08/22

Pyunik 0-0 Sheriff 18/08/22

CSF Balti 0-3 Sheriff 21/08/22

Dacia-Buiucani 0-2 Sheriff 03/09/22

Omonia Nicosia 0-3 Sheriff 08/09/22

Real Sociedad latest home form

Real Sociedad have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their three most recent matches. They managed to defeat Espanyol 2-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded nine.

Real Sociedad 1-2 Eibar 05/08/22

Real Sociedad 1-4 Barcelona 21/08/22

Real Sociedad 1-1 Atletico Madrid 03/09/22

Real Sociedad 2-1 Omonia Nicosia 15/09/22

Real Sociedad 2-1 Espanyol 18/09/22

Real Sociedad latest away form

Real Sociedad have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They defeated Girona 5-3 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded five.

Cadiz 0-1 Real Sociedad 14/08/22

Elche 0-1 Real Sociedad 27/08/22

Manchester United 0-1 Real Sociedad 08/09/22

Getafe 2-1 Real Sociedad 11/09/22

Girona 3-5 Real Sociedad 02/10/22

Sheriff Tirsapol news

Sheriff seem to have a clean bill of health heading into this contest, with Nigerian striker Iyayi Atiemwen joined up front by Abou Ouattara and Rasheed Akanbi, the latter leading the way for goals this season.

Captain Stjepan Radeljic has been particularly impressive at the back for Sheriff so far this season.

Real Sociedad news

Alaguacil is set to hand starts to Ander Guevara and Asier Illarramendi in the midfield, while Carlos Fernandez will hope to make his first start since April 2021 after a cruciate ligament injury.

Centre-back Robin Le Normand remains out with a foot injury, while forward Mohamed-Ali Cho will miss out with a hamstring injury.

Prediction and Odds

Despite an impressive and brave performance against Manchester United in natchday two, the quality ultimately told as the Moldovan side suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Red Devils.

We envisage a similar outcomes here, as a rotated Real Sociedad squad should have just enough quality and mettle to avoid an upset.

Odds: 1 2.30 X 2.05 2 2.18