GNK Dinamo Zagreb vs Sheriff Tiraspol Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 23/08/2021, 02:16  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 23/08/2021 at 02:18 in Champions League Predictions

Sheriff Tiraspol have been the surprise package in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers and are just 90 minutes away from a place in the group stages of the competition. The Moldova side is set to travel to Croatia for the return leg of their play-off game against Dinamo Zagreb. The hosts will be under immense pressure here, after losing 3-0 in the first leg. It was their first loss in nine matches but could have far reaching consequences, if they fail to score at least three in this game. It doesn’t look so good for the Croatian side, having failed to score more than a goal in their last five matches. Though they are unbeaten in five at home, with three wins, they are faced with an uphill task against a very hardworking team that plays as a unit. Dinamo Zagreb will need something special to break Sheriff. The 3-0 loss was the biggest defeat for the hosts since their 4-1 loss to Manchester City in 2019. They haven’t scored three unanswered goals in their last 14 Champions League matches; the last time they did it was against Atalanta in 2019. Meanwhile, they have just three clean sheets in the last eight home matches and will need to improve on this against a very sharp Sheriff.

Sheriff go to this game unbeaten in their last nine matches, eight of them wins. They haven’t had a game after the win over Dinamo Zagreb so should be well rested for this game. The visitors have two straight clean sheets and have scored two or more goals in six of their last eight matches. Whereas Dinamo Zagreb need at least a 3-0 win to overturn this tie, Sheriff haven’t conceded more than a goal in their last 10 games. On the other hand, the Moldova side has had a prolific run in attack, scoring 15 goals in the last five matches. Sheriff have come all the way from the first qualifying round, playing seven games so far and they have six wins and one draw. They’ve scored in all the seven Champions League games so far this season, a total of 14 goals. In 2012 and 2013, they were eliminated by Dinamo Zagreb at the preliminaries and this time they have a chance for revenge. Away from home, they are unbeaten in four matches, winning three and keeping two clean sheets.