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Sheriff will invite Zira to Bolshaya Sportivnaya Arena in the first leg of the first round of the UEFA Europa League qualifiers on Thursday. The hosts have played in the group stage of a UEFA competition in the last three seasons, while the visitors have not qualified for the group stage of a UEFA competition thus far.
The hosts will play their first competitive match in the 2024-25 season. They finished second in the Super Liga last season to book their place in the qualifiers. The visitors played a friendly last month, recording a 2-1 win over Hermannstadt.
The hosts played in the group stage of the Europa League last season but began their qualifying campaign in the UEFA Champions League. The visitors, meanwhile, last played in the qualifying campaign of the UEFA Europa Conference League and did not make it to the qualifying campaign last season.
Sheriff vs Zira Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams meet for the first time.
- The hosts have met just one team from Azerbaijan thus far, meeting Qarabag five times in European qualifiers. They have just one win in these games while suffering three defeats.
- The visitors will meet a Moldovan team for the first time in history.
- Sheriff had a 100% record at home in the qualifying campaign last season, keeping two clean sheets in four games.
- Zira have two wins in their six games in the qualifying campaign in European competitions. They have failed to score in three games in that period.
- The hosts scored at least two goals in four of their last eight games in the qualifying campaign last season.
- The hosts concluded their 2023-24 campaign with just two wins in their last six games in all competitions.
Sheriff vs Zira Prediction
The Yellow-Blacks have suffered just one loss in their last eight home games in qualifying games of UEFA competitions while recording six wins and keeping five clean sheets. They have enjoyed an unbeaten record at home in 2024 in all competitions and are strong favorites.
Qartallar have suffered defeats in two of their three away games in the UEFA qualifiers. After winning their first two games in the qualifiers in the 2017-18 season, they are winless in their last four games, failing to score in three matches.
Both teams play their first competitive match of the season and will look to leave a good account of themselves. Nonetheless, considering the hosts' record in the qualifying campaign, they are expected to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Sheriff 2-1 Zira
Sheriff vs Zira Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Sheriff to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Cedric Badolo to score or assist any time - Yes
