Sheriff Tiraspol – Real Sociedad : Preview & Prediction
With a sizeable lead at the top of the Moldovan Super League, Sheriff Tiraspol will be focused on getting back to winning ways in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) after losing 2-0 to Manchester United on matchday two. With the memory of their win over Real Madrid last season still fresh in their minds, Sheriff will have no easy task against a Real Sociedad side on a roll.
The defeat to Man United was Sheriff’s only loss in their last seven official home matches, of which they conceded goals in only two (G4, E2, P1). With the disadvantage of having to play their European home games in Chisinau, Sheriff are looking for a positive result to maintain their fight to reach the play-offs and get out of the round of 32, a round in which they were eliminated last season. Their recent record is not encouraging: Sheriff have won only one of their last six UEL home games in 90 min (G1, E3, P2).
Real Sociedad lead Group E by three points thanks to a historic 1-0 win at Old Trafford (1-0) and a 2-1 victory over Omonia Nicosia at the Reale Arena. The Txuri-urdin side face their second outing in this UEL after taking all three points in a spectacular eight-goal clash at Montilivi (Girona 3-5 RS), in which Imanol Alguacil’s men showed their fighting ability by twice coming from behind to extend their winning streak in all competitions to three games.
The Blue and Whites can emulate Real Madrid, who beat Sheriff away last season. The San Sebastian side have lost just one of their last nine away games in the UEL (G3, E5, P1), but have never faced a Moldovan club and face the long trip to Chisinau with a number of absentees in their squad.
Players to watch: Felipe Vizeu scored two goals for Sheriff last Sunday. In three of the last four games in which he has found the net, the Brazilian striker has opened the scoring. Alexander Sørloth, meanwhile, has scored four goals in his last three games for Real, twice breaking the 0-0 scoreline.
Key statistic: The first two matchdays of this UEL group stage were scoreless.
Sheriff Tiraspol – Real Sociedad : Betting Tips
Real Sociedad – Win Odds: 1.55
