Sheriff Tiraspol vs Nice prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-03-08 17:45.
After a 3-2 win on aggregate over Partizan Belgrade in the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) knockout play-off, Sheriff Tiraspol are amongst the last 16 teams in a UEFA competition for the first time ever. A six-point lead after the end of the Moldovan Super Liga regular season and a 3-0 win in the Moldovan cup against Dacia-Buiucani at the weekend means Sheriff are still in the race for a tenth domestic double in the club’s history!
Coach Roberto Bordin's men were playing their first competitive game since early November when they lost 1-0 against Partizan last month, but six goals scored in the next two games (W2) suggest that they are well up to speed. Despite those recent goals, they’ll likely need further improvement up front if they are to continue that run and earn a first win against French opposition (D1, L1), as Sheriff have failed to score in four of their last five European home games.
Still unbeaten since his appointment at Nice in mid-January (W6, D3), this game will be a special moment for Didier Digard who will celebrate his first European game as a coach! Digard’s mission here is to replicate their league form on the continental stage, after Nice were the only team to finish top of their UECL group despite winning only two games (W2, D3, L1).
The Eaglets have reached the Round of 16 of a major European competition for the first time since 1998, and history is not on their side, considering that they have not gone any further in two previous attempts. Nice may have to do without much of an away support too, as with Tiraspol sitting only a few kilometres from the Ukrainian border, their fans were advised against making the trip.
Players to watch: Sheriff’s Rasheed Akanbi has contributed to one goal in each of his previous four competitive appearances (G3, A1) while Khéphren Thuram, the son of 1998 World Cup winner Lilian Thuram, has led Nice to a win in his last eight goalscoring appearances.
Hot streak: Each of Nice’s previous three UECL away matches have featured a goal in the 51th-60th minute period.