Betting Tip
The bookmakers have made Maccabi Tel Aviv favourites. That is a bold call for a team who have never played in Tiraspol before. Especially in the first leg of the round, where nobody will be charging forward recklessly from the opening minutes.
Sheriff Tiraspol switch into safe mode in European competition. Two matches against NK Aluminij — one goal scored and none conceded. At home, the Tiraspol side shut things down for a 0:0 draw and then calmly finished off their opponents away. In the league they are lively, averaging 2.5 goals per game, but Europe is a different story. Here, Sheriff Tiraspol first and foremost slow the game down and cling to the result they need.
The picture looks good for Maccabi Tel Aviv: the State Cup, the Super Cup against Hapoel Be'er Sheva (3:1), three wins in a row. But all of that is domestic Israeli business. The visitors' official season has been going for two weeks, they have had no European practice this season, and the return leg at home is in a week's time. Flying to Tiraspol and opening up is the last thing the Tel Aviv side need. A goalless draw would suit them, and the club know that perfectly well.
The scenario writes itself: the hosts will not take risks without the ball, while the visitors will keep their trump cards for the return game. Few chances, plenty of battling in midfield, every shot on target an event. In a match like this, the draw at a good price looks better than either team to win, and that is pure value for the first meeting.