Nice vs Sheriff Tiraspol prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-03-15 20:00.
Manager Didier Digard will be hoping for a tidier performance from his Nice side as they look to reach the quarter-finals of a UEFA competition for the first time since 1959/60. Digard criticised his side for making “mistakes” as they conceded a last-gasp goal in a 2-2 draw against Nantes in the league on Sunday, a result he described as “cruel” after Nice missed the chance to close the gap on the Ligue 1 European places.
If the Eaglets can eradicate the errors, they are well positioned to qualify for the last eight of the Europa Conference League (UECL) having beaten Sheriff Tiraspol 1-0 in first leg of their round-of-16 tie last week. That result means Nice have lost just one of their last eight ties in continental football (W4, D3) and they know extending their sensational 11-game unbeaten run across all competitions (W7, D4) would be enough to add to that impressive knockout record.
Nice will be confident of extending that run against Sheriff, who arrive at the Allianz Riviera looking to make history as they have never beaten a French opponent in three previous attempts (D1, L2). The Moldovan outfit are certainly improving in Europe though, with their shock win over Real Madrid in the Champions League last season one of three away victories in their last eight matches during the group stages or later in UEFA competitions (D1, L4), compared to just one success in 12 outings prior to 2021/22.
Another one of those wins came against Partizan Belgrade in their UECL knock-out play-off, when Sheriff showcased their strong jaw by overturning a 1-0 first leg deficit with a 3-1 success in Serbia. Manager Roberto Bordin will be hoping his players can channel the spirit of that performance after insisting they “deserved at least a draw” from the initial clash with Nice, adding “everything is possible” as the Moldovan minnows look to reach the quarter-finals of a European tournament for the very first time.
Key battle: Defender Youssouf Ndayishimiye scored his first goal for Nice against Nantes on Sunday and has lost just one of his 13 career appearances in European football (W9, D3). He may be trying to stop Sheriff’s Cedric Badolo, who has won 11 of his 12 career goalscoring appearances (D1), including in the last round against Partizan when he netted a penalty.
Hot stat: Nice have scored the first goal in eight of their last 11 games across all competitions.