The first match of the 2025/26 Europa League first qualifying round between Sheriff (Moldova) and Prishtina (Kosovo) will take place on July 10 at the Sheriff Stadium in Tiraspol. Sheriff vs. Prishtina: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Sheriff
The team earned the right to play in the Europa League by finishing second in the last Moldovan championship. The club has participated in this European competition 15 times, reaching the group stage on six occasions. Last year, Sheriff started from the second qualifying round of the Europa League but failed to advance to the main stage of the Conference League. Currently, the team is in first place in the Moldovan championship.
In the off-season, Viktor Mikhailov became the new head coach of the team.
- Sheriff has not won any of their last five home matches in the Europa League (1 draw, 4 losses).
- In 9 out of their last 10 home games in the Europa League, the team has conceded at least one goal.
- In 4 of their last 5 matches in this tournament, the club lost and failed to score.
Predicted lineup for Sheriff (4-5-1)
Ivan Dyulgerov – Rai, Atila, Nana Boakye, Sumaila Magassouba – Peter Ademo, Ibrahima Suma, Cyril Bayala, Mamadou Diarra, Papa-Ndiaga Yade – Amarildo Gjini.
Prishtina
The team qualified for the Europa League by winning the Kosovo Cup, and they finished sixth in the national championship. Prishtina will play in the Europa League for the fourth time, with their previous appearance in the 2020/21 season ending in a preliminary round defeat. Notably, the team has not participated in European competitions for three years.
- The Kosovars failed to score in 4 out of 5 away matches in the Europa League.
- At least one team left the field without scoring in 5 out of the last 6 Europa League games.
- At least three goals were scored in 5 out of Prishtina's last 6 matches in European competitions.
Predicted lineup for Prishtina (3-4-1-2)
Ardit Nika – Leonat Vitia, Diar Halili, Ardi Adzhdini – Rin Ahmeti, Junior Ngatta, Gentrit Salihu, Lorian Fazliu – Sinan Kadiri – Alban Shilova, Dashmir Elezi.
Referee
Dario Bell (Croatia)
Matches – 6 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 29;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.8;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 0%.
Sheriff vs. Prishtina: Match Prediction
Sheriff failed to reach the main stage of European competitions for the first time since 2020, leading to a change in head coach during the off-season. The new coach understands the significance of the upcoming game, so open football is unlikely. Furthermore, the team generally plays low-scoring matches in the Europa League, with no more than three goals scored in 25 of their last 27 home matches in this tournament. A similar total was recorded in 18 of Sheriff's last 20 home matches in European competitions.
Prishtina returns to the international stage after a three-year hiatus, and in this match, I expect the players to act cautiously, avoiding unnecessary risks. Additionally, in Prishtina's last four away games in the Europa League, no more than three goals were scored. This total was not exceeded in 7 of the team's last 8 away matches in all European competitions.
Considering all these factors, my prediction: Total under 3.5 goals
