Sherrif Tiraspol and Dinamo Zagreb set for cagey UCL playoff first leg match
Sheriff Tiraspol vs Dinamo Zagreb - 17/08/2021
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The Champions League playoff round kicks off this week with six first-leg fixtures. On Tuesday night, Moldova’s Sheriff Tiraspol take on Croatia’s Dinamo Zagreb with the Champions League group stage just one step away.
Sheriff began their Champions League journey in the first qualifying round with a victory over Teuta 5-0 on aggregate. A second qualifying round win over Alashkert 4-1 on aggregate followed.
Yuriy Vernydub’s team continued their excellent form in the third qualifying round by eliminated Red Star Belgrade 2-1.
Dinamo Zagreb, on the other hand, reached the playoff round by knocking out Valur 5-2 on aggregate in the first qualifying round.
Omonia was next as they went down 3-0 on aggregate. In the Champions League third qualifying round, Dinamo Zagreb inched past Legia Warsaw 2-1.
Now, Sheriff and Dinamo Zagreb will meet on Tuesday night in the first leg at the Sheriff Stadium in Moldova. Dinamo Zagreb are five matches into their domestic season.
They have posted a record of 2W-1D-1L. They have outscored opponents 8-5 on the domestic front.
Sheriff have played just three times in the league posting a 2W-0D-1L. They have outscored opponents 10-3.
The Moldovans are led in goals by Henrique Luvannor who has five goals in seven games in all competitions. Four of those five goals have come in the Champions League.
Lovro Majer leads Dinamo Zagreb in goals with five this season in all competitions. Two of those goals have come in the Champions League.
Unfortunately for Dinamo Zagreb, Majer could exit the club before the transfer window closes. France’s Rennes are linked with a transfer for the player.
Sheriff Tiraspol have played in the Champions League for six straight seasons.
This is the furthest they have reached in the competition since 2010-11. No Moldovan club has ever reached the Champions League group stage.
Dinamo Zagreb are far more experienced at this stage of the Champions League. They reached the 2019-20 group stage where Dinamo Zagreb played Manchester City, Atalanta, and Shakhtar Donetsk. The experience of reaching that far previously could aid them in victory.
Tuesday’s match is bound to be a cagey affair between the two clubs. Neither will want to lose the tie in the first leg in Moldova.
Five of Dinamo Zagreb’s six games in the Champions League qualifying rounds thus far finished with under 2.5 goals. Sheriff have seen four of their six games end with under 2.5 goals.
Yet, expect these two teams to open up as the match wears on. Sheriff and Dinamo should combine for more than 2.5 goals as the Croatian side claim a major first leg win in the Champions League playoffs.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
UCL
332542
2
1 - 4
2.67
22°
1.90
4.50
3.32
1.90
1
1
1
3 - 0(1 - 0)
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