Sheriff Tiraspol, who surprised many in last season Champions League, will begin their quest for the competitions group stage this season when their travel Bosnia to take on Zrinjski Mostar at Bijeli Brijeg Stadium on Wednesday night.
Zrinjski Mostar won the Bosnian Premier League title last season, with the side finishing 27 points in the clear after recording 26 wins, six draws and one defeat from their 33 league games. Winning the title saw them end a four-year drought without winning the crown and also automativally booked them a place in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
The Bosnians have been preparing for the clash with preseason friendlies, and so far played four friendly matches claiming three victories and a draw in the run. They have now gone 11 unbeaten games stretching back to last season and will be determined to extend the run on Wednesday.
However, they are coming up against Sheriff Tiraspol, the reigning champions of Moldavian Premier League and surprise package in the Champions League last season. Tiraspol became the first ever Moldovan side to play in the Champions League last term after seeing out the likes of Alashkert, Red Star Belgrade and Dinamo Zagreb en route.
They initially were expected to be the resident whipping boys in Group D but opened their campaign with stunning victories over Shakhtar Donetsk and eventual champions Real Madrid, and a highly respectable third-placed finish earned them a spot in the Europa League knockout rounds.
They ultimately lost out to Braga on penalties in the last 32, and they will now be looking to start a new continental campaign on Wednesday, where they will be gunning for a victory this time hoping for a bit longer run in their European endeavors.
Zrinjski Mostar vs Sheriff Tiraspol head to head
This will be the first ever meeting between the two and we expect a close encounter considering the occasions. Take a look at their previous results;
Home
- Zrinjski Mostar 2-0 Igman
- Zrinjski Mostar 3-3 Shkendija Tetovo
- Varazdin 0-3 Zrinjski Mostar
- Zrinjski Mostar 2-1 Mura Murska Sobota
- Rudar Prijedor 0-2 Zrinjski Mostar
Away
- Sfintul G 0-1 Tiraspol
- Sfintul G 0-2 Tiraspol
- Milsami 1-1 Tiraspol
- Dinamo Auto 0-3 Tiraspol
- Dinamo Auto 2-3 Tiraspol
Zrinjski Mostar team news
Zrinjski will be without Dragan Juranovic and Irfan Hadzic due to injury.
Sheriff Tiraspol team news
Tiraspol have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the Wednesday’s clash.
Prediction and odds
- Tiraspol win
- Both sides to score
- Goals over 2.5
