The first leg of the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 second qualifying round between Sheriff (Moldova) and Utrecht (Netherlands) will take place on July 24 at the Central Stadium in Nisporeni. Sheriff vs. Utrecht: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Sheriff
The Moldovan side successfully navigated the first qualifying round, overcoming Montenegrin side Prishtina (4-0, 1-2). Sheriff is participating in the Europa League for the ninth consecutive season, with their best achievement being a round of 32 appearance. However, it's worth noting that in their last 12 matches in this European competition, the team has only claimed two victories (1 draw, 9 losses). Furthermore, in 15 of their last 16 Europa League encounters, the Moldovans have failed to keep a clean sheet.
- The club has not won in regular time in 5 of their last 6 home matches in the Europa League (1 draw, 4 losses).
- The team conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals in 90 minutes in 6 of their last 8 home games in this European competition.
- Sheriff has not scored more than one goal in regular time in 8 of their last 12 home games in the Europa League.
Predicted lineup for Sheriff (4-3-3)
Ivan Dyulgerov – Natus Djamel Sven, Nana Kwame Boakye, Alessio Mijja, Soumaila Magassouba – Rai Lopez, Ibrahima Terna Souma, Peter Ademo – Artur Serobyan, Mamadi Diarra, Amarildo Gjioni.
Utrecht
In the last Dutch championship, the team finished fourth and earned the right to compete in the Europa League, starting from the second qualifying round. Utrecht is participating in this tournament for the first time since the 2019/20 season, when they were knocked out by Bosnia and Herzegovina's Zrinjski in the second qualifying round (1-1, 1-1, extra time 0-1). The Dutch side's best achievement in the Europa League was reaching the group stage in the 2010/2011 season. Notably, in their last 10 matches in this European competition, Utrecht has suffered only one defeat in regular time (2 wins, 7 draws).
- The team has not won in regular time in their last seven away matches in the Europa League (5 draws, 2 losses).
- No more than two goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 5 of Utrecht's last 7 away games in this European competition.
- Utrecht has not scored more than one goal in regular time in 6 of their last 7 away matches in the Europa League.
Predicted lineup for Utrecht (4-5-1)
Vasilios Barkas – Sibe Horemans, Mike van der Hoorn, Nick Viergever, Kolbeinn Finnsson – Edriën Blake, Soufyan El Karouani, Alonzo Tim Engwanda-Onjena, Djivai Zechiël, Victor Jensen – David Min.
Referee
Philip Farrugia (Malta)
Matches – 5 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 17;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.4;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 0%.
Sheriff vs. Utrecht: Match Prediction
Even at home, the Moldovans have recently struggled to deliver a strong attacking performance. In their last 12 home Europa League matches, Sheriff's players have only scored more than once on four occasions, and in five of those games, they left the field without scoring at all. However, in 7 of their last 9 home games in this European competition, the club conceded only once at most.
Utrecht returns to the Europa League after a six-year absence, and previously, they did not shine with high goal-scoring performances in this tournament. In their last seven away matches in the Europa League, the Dutch side managed to breach their opponents' defense more than once only once, and in four matches during this period, they failed to score at all. Meanwhile, Utrecht can play solidly at the back: in their last five away matches in this tournament, the team conceded only four goals.
I do not expect many goals in this match. My prediction: Total under 2.5 goals
* For each team, the starting lineup from their previous match is indicated.
