Europe champions league: Maribor vs Sheriff Tiraspol – stats, prediction, head-to-head, lineups, live stream, and ground
Europe champions league: Maribor vs Sheriff Tiraspol – stats, prediction, head-to-head, lineups, live stream, and ground. The second qualifying round for the 2022-23 Champions League campaign will continue with Maribor set to face Sheriff Tiraspol for their first leg encounter.
Both teams will be pushing hard to get things started with a strong performance to provide themselves with the best possible start heading into the upcoming match.
Maribor has already displayed great quality in the first qualifying round as they proved to be resilient defensively to secure their place in the competition.
The Slovenian team played against Soligorsk in that round, and they did not concede a goal in the game, which is something that brought plenty of confidence to the squad.
The first leg of that round was one that Maribor played in front of their fans, which ended in a goalless draw, but quickly they followed that up with a dominant 2-0 victory giving themselves a chance of qualifying for the competition.
Maribor did not start the defense of their Slovenian top-flight title following that victory though as they were defeated on the opening day of the season which they will be hoping to respond.
The visitors made history in the Champions League last season by being the only Moldovan team in the entire journey to qualify from the group stages of the competition, which they aim to prove was not a fluke.
They picked up seven points during that campaign and showcased the qualities that they possessed as a squad overall.
Sheriff Tiraspol knocked out Zrinjski in the first round and reached this stage of the qualification process, but it was closely fought encounters that got them to that point.
They picked up a tight 1-0 win in the following leg after the previous match ended in a draw.
Tiraspol is still waiting to score a goal for themselves in the Champions League this year though as it was a goal from Igor Savic that got them to this point, which they now hope to improve upon.
Maribor Champions League form – Draw, Win
Sheriff Tiraspol Champions League form – Draw, Win
Team News
There is a constant concern that a lack of goals could be a problem for Maribor after the retirement of Marcos Tavares, who was the all-time leading goalscorer for the club.
Baturina did showcase that he could fill that gap this season after he bagged a brace in their last Champions League game, and he is sure to lead the line this week.
Iyayi Atiemwen did not play in the previous Champions League outing for the visitors due to an injury in the previous match, and that could result in ruling him out once again here.
The experience of the squad from their European campaign is something that gives confidence to the team, and a 4-3-3 formation should be implemented to win.
Maribor’s possible starting lineup:
Bergsen; Milec, Mitrovic, Watson, Sikosek; Makoumbou, Repas; Zugelj, Kronaveter, Bozic; Baturina
Sheriff Tiraspol’s possible starting lineup:
Abalora; Kiki, Radeljic, Guedes, Kpozo; Kyabou, Badolo, Kyabou, Lushkja; Yansane, Akanbi, Ouattara
Prediction
The prediction is – Maribor 0-1 Sheriff Tiraspol
Both of the games played by the two teams in the previous round of the competition led to close encounters, and there is no reason that this one will turn out to be any different.
None of the teams has been free-flowing with the goals adding pressure to the attacking players, but the quality and European experience of the visitors visions them just edge things.