The first leg of the 3rd qualifying round of the 2025/26 Europa Conference League between Anderlecht (Belgium) and Sheriff (Moldova) will take place on August 7 at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels. Anderlecht vs. Sheriff: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Anderlecht
Besnik Hasi's side began this European season in the Europa League, but their encounter with Hacken was a disappointment for the fans. After a home victory with a score of 1-0, Anderlecht lost away (1-2) and were defeated in the penalty shootout. As a result, the team dropped into the Conference League, where the Belgians only progressed through one round in the 2021/22 season, but reached the quarter-finals a year later, losing at this stage to AZ Alkmaar. Notably, the defeat to the Dutch in the return leg was Anderlecht's first in their last five matches in the Conference League (3 wins, 1 draw).
- At least one opponent failed to score in 5 of Anderlecht's last 7 Conference League games.
- The club has not lost at home in this tournament in 5 of their last 6 matches (3 wins, 2 draws).
- In 5 of their last 6 home encounters in the Conference League, Anderlecht scored exactly 1 or 2 goals.
Predicted lineup for Anderlecht (4-5-1)
Colin Coosemans – Ali Maamar, Lucas Hey, Marco Kana, Moussa N'Diaye – Yari Verschaeren, Nilson Angulo, Thorgan Hazard, Enric Llansana, Nathan de Kae – Luis Vazquez.
Sheriff
The team from Chișinău also found themselves in the Conference League after being eliminated from a higher-ranked tournament. In the current Europa League campaign, Viktor Mihailov's side defeated Prishtina (4-0, 1-2), but in the 2nd round, they lost both legs to Utrecht (1-3, 1-4). The team last played in the Conference League in the 2022/23 season, entering after finishing third in their Europa League group. Ultimately, the Moldovans reached the round of 16, where they were defeated by Nice.
- The club has lost 5 of their last 6 matches in the Conference League.
- The team has conceded in their last 16 away games in European competitions.
- In 8 of their last 9 away matches on the international stage, Sheriff has not scored more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Sheriff (3-4-3)
Ivan Dyulgerov – Natus Djamel Sven, Nana Kwame Boakye, Soumaila Magassouba – Rai Lopes, Ibrahima Ternasuma, Peter Ademo, Alessio Mijja – Papa Yade, Mamadi Diarra, Amarildo Gjone.
Referee
Nenad Minakovic (Serbia)
Matches – 12 (International matches, 2024/25 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 51;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.2;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 17%.
Match Prediction: Anderlecht vs. Sheriff
The Belgians were favorites against Hacken, but the team unexpectedly lost to the Swedes. In the upcoming match, Besnik Hasi's side will likely be eager to redeem themselves in the eyes of their fans, so Sheriff's defense is expected to face a tough challenge. Anderlecht consistently performs well in the Conference League and shows good scoring ability even in more prestigious European competitions. Last season, the club participated in the Europa League and scored at least two goals in all their home group-stage matches.
The Moldovans have not impressed on the international stage. The team has lost 11 of their last 13 matches in European competitions (2 wins) and also lost 5 of their 6 Conference League encounters. Moreover, in three away matches in the Conference League, Chișinău conceded 7 goals. Furthermore, the team has failed to keep a clean sheet in 16 consecutive away games in European competitions, and in 7 of their last 8 away matches in the Conference League and Europa League, they have conceded at least two goals.
My prediction: Anderlecht Individual Total Over 1.5
