Prediction: BATE vs Sheriff Tiraspol

Verdict: Sheriff Tiraspol win

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Luckster

Simply looking to finish off their Europa League qualifying adventure, Sheriff Tiraspol will travel to the Varosi Stadion in Hungary when they meet BATE for their second-leg showdown.

BATE

Starting BATE, putting in what was a woeful first-leg performance while on foreign soil last week, the Belarusian outfit have come under real scrutiny over the past few weeks. Eventually getting hit with a routine 5-1 drumming and now seeking a major qualifying miracle, Kirill Alshevsky’s men will be more than aware that they face another monumental challenge on Thursday night. Forced to play their home fixtures in Hungary, the Yellows are in the midst of what has quickly become a defensive nightmare. Crashing out of the Champions League qualifiers earlier in the month after slumping to a remarkable 11-5 aggregate defeat, Alshevsky’s struggling squad have now shipped a staggering 16 strikes on their recent three-match losing run. Failing to find any kind of stability while on either domestic or European duties, there is certainly mounting pressure on the one-time Dinamo Minsk boss.

Team News

Both forced to settle for a spot on the bench last week, the duo of Denis Grechikho and Dmitri Antilevski should be handed a full recall on Thursday night. Bagging that consolation goal last week, Sidi Bane will once again partner Ruslan Khadarkevich at the back.

Notching four goals in his previous six appearances across all competitions, 32-year-old Denis Laptev will spearhead BATE’s attack here.

Sheriff Tiraspol

As for Sheriff, while BATE might find themselves at the heart of a public nightmare, the mood in Tiraspol’s camp should be at a continued high. Laying down what was a real marker on foreign soil last week as they stormed their way to that 5-1 first-leg victory, Roberto Bordin’s men will simply be looking to lay down another qualifying marker on Thursday night. Likewise, picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend as they claimed a routine 2-0 win against Sparta Selemet while on domestic duties, the Blacks have now won five of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Clearly finding a real clinical edge in the final third and winning each of their last three outings by an aggregate score of 8-1, Bordin’s men have also enjoyed a recent flurry on the road. Clinching back-to-back victories on their travels for the first time since the middle of May, Sheriff are rightfully tipped as a standout pick here.

Team News

Bagging a first-leg brace last week, 21-year-old David Ankeye should be handed yje chance to lead Sheriff’s charge once again on Thursday night. Likewise, also coming off the bench and notching a pair of strikes last week, Como Yansane could be handed a full recall in midweek.

Impressing since cementing his spot as Bordin’s number-one back in May, 30-year-old Maksym Koval will start between the sticks here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their first-leg showdown last week, Sheriff Tiraspol stormed their way to a routine 5-1 romp on home soil.
• BATE have lost each of their last three European appearances on the bounce – a run that has seen them ship a staggering 16 goals.
• Thursday’s guests have won five of their last six appearances across all competitions.
• Sheriff have won each of their last three straight matchups across all competitions by an aggregate score of 8-1.
• The last two meetings between Thursday’s opponents have produced 10 goals.

Conclusion

Putting in a rampant first-leg performance on home soil last week as they breezed their way to that 5-1 romp, Sheriff will simply be looking to make another statement on Thursday night. Making the trip out to Hungary riding what has been a real wave of momentum after winning five of their last six appearances across all competitions, BATE will know that they face another real challenge here. Shipping a staggering 16 strikes on their recent three-match losing run, we are backing an away victory in midweek.

Verdict: Sheriff Tiraspol win

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Luckster