Sheriff Tiraspol vs Slavia Prague prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-11-29 20:00.
It’s been a disappointing UEFA Europa League (UEL) campaign for Sheriff Tiraspol so far (D1, L3) but they can still reach the UEFA Europa Conference League knockout round play-offs. Doing so will need the runaway Moldovan league leaders to beat either Slavia Prague here or Roma on the final matchday and possibly even both if other results go against them.
The Yellow-Blacks have struggled to replicate their strong domestic form into continental action, highlighted not only by the fact their only home defeat this term was in Europe (W11, D2) but also by their Expected Goals (xG) tally of just 2.4, a competition low. That will need to dramatically improve if they’re to upset the odds against Slavia, a side they’ve never beaten (D2, L1), most recently suffering a 6-0 hammering in October.
Locked in battle with rivals Sparta Prague for supremacy at the top of the Czech First League, Slavia are all-but guaranteed a top-two finish in Group G but will be keen to stay ahead of Roma and transfer straight into the round of 16 by winning the group. There should be plenty of confidence in the camp too, after winning each of their last three competitive matches while scoring at least twice.
As overwhelming favourites, this presents the Red and Whites with an opportunity to improve upon a record of one win across their last six UEL away fixtures (D2, L3), so a repeat of their last visit to Tiraspol when they drew 0-0 in July 2009 would likely disappoint. They will also be seeking an altogether calmer affair after they were fined €100,000 for crowd trouble in their 2-0 victory against Roma earlier this month.
Players to watch: Amine Talal completed the scoring in both of Sheriff’s last two fixtures, yet opened the scoring in all three of his continental goalscoring appearances this term. Igoh Ogbu scored Slavia’s second goal in two of their UEL group games this season, including against Sheriff in October.
Hot stat: Slavia have conceded a joint-low two UEL group-stage goals this season.