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Zira will welcome Sheriff to Dalga Arena in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round on Thursday. The hosts won the first leg 1-0 last week, but with just one goal separating the two teams; the visitors are still very much in contention to qualify for the next round.
Both teams played their first competitive match of the season in the first leg and both looked a bit out of shape. Davit Volkovi's 88th-minute strike proved to be the difference as the hosts registered their first win in a qualifying campaign of a UEFA competition since 2017.
The hosts have never booked their place in the group stage of a UEFA competition while the visitors have made it to the group stage in the last three seasons. They qualified for the group stage of the Europa League last season but suffered five losses in six games.
Zira vs Sheriff Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams met for the first time last week.
- The visitors have met Azerbaijani teams six times in all competitions and have just one win to their name while suffering four losses. The hosts, meanwhile, met a Moldovan team for the first time last week.
- The hosts have failed to score in three of their seven games in European qualifiers but have kept four clean sheets in that period as well.
- Sheriff are winless in their last eight away games in European qualifiers, failing to score in four games.
- Zira have suffered just one loss in their five appearances in the qualifying campaign of the Europa League while recording three wins.
- The visitors have just one win in their last seven competitive away games while suffering five losses. They have failed to score in four games in that period.
Zira vs Sheriff Prediction
The Eagles scored their first goals in a European qualifying match since 2017 in the first leg and will look to build on that form.
The Yellow-Blacks have a rich history in the UEFA competitions but suffered a loss in the home leg last week, as they failed to score at home in European qualifiers for the first time in five games. While they are more experienced in European qualifiers than the hosts, their away record is a cause for concern.
Considering the visitors' poor away record in Europa League qualifiers and home advantage for Zira, the hosts are expected to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Zira 2-1 Sheriff
Zira vs Sheriff Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Zira 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: Salifou Soumah to score or assist any time - Yes
