Sheriff Tiraspol welcomes Sporting Braga to Sheriff Stadium for the first leg of their Europa League knockout playoffs on Thursday night with kickoff at 20:45.
Sheriff did well in their Champions League debut campaign with the side recording the most memorable win of 2021-22 season, scoring a last-minute goal to record a 2-1 victory against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
However, Sheriff ultimately failed to advance to the knockout stages of Europe’s Elite as they finished third behind Real Madrid and Inter Milan and as result were transferred to the Europa League and they will be hoping to advance further in the competition.
Considering their form, determination and team spirit the Moldovans are surely capable of matching Braga in front of their home fans, but the only problem is that Tiraspol have not played in a competitive fixture since December 11 due to the prolonged mid-season break. They will however draw confidence from their impressive league run as they have won 14 of their 17 matches and lead the league with two points in the clear, while they also possess two games in hand on second-placed Petrocub.
Meanwhile Braga started their Europa League campaign in the group stages and come through as runners-up in Group F. The Portuguese outfit did well to claim three wins and one draw from their six matches to collect 10 points which saw them finish one point behind Crvena Zvezda and one above tough Danish outfits Midtjylland.
Braga will competing to go deep in this tournament as its only trophy remain to fight for having already been knockout of both domestic cup and are some 19 points off the summit of the Primeira Liga. They will fancy their chances of advancing as they are in a good mood having won three of their last four matches, including an away victory against Sporting Lisbon.
Sheriff Tiraspol vs Braga head to head
This will be the first encounter between the two sides. Take a look at their previous results;
Home
- Tiraspol 4-0 Zimbru
- Shakhtar 1-1 Tiraspol
- Petrocub 0-0 Tiraspol
- Tiraspol Dinamo Auto
- Tiraspol 0-3 Real Madrid
Away
- Braga 2-1 Pacos Ferreira
- Guimaraes 2-1 Braga
- Braga 2-0 Moreirense
- Sporting 1-2 Braga
- Braga 0-1 Maritimo
Sheriff Tiraspol team news
Sheriff have no injury or suspension concerns.
Braga team news
Braga also have no injury or suspension concerns.
Prediction and odds
- Draw
- Sheriff win
- Goals under 2.5
