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Sheriff will entertain Pyunik at the Bolshaya Sportivnaya Arena in the decisive second leg of their UEFA Europa League playoffs on Thursday.
The first leg in Armenia last week ended in a goalless draw, so it's a winner-takes-all second leg. Both teams began their qualifying campaign in the first round of the UEFA Champions League.
Sheriff made a name for themselves after beating eventual winners Real Madrid in the Champions League last season. If they can secure a win here, they will qualify for the UEFA Europa League this season.
Both Sherriff and Pyunik were in league action on Sunday. Sheriff remain undefeated in the Moldovan National League, winning 3-0 at FC Balti. Pyunik, meanwhile, suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Van in the Armenian Premier League.
Sheriff vs Pyunik Head-to-Head
The two teams have met three times across competitions. Pyunik are yet to score a goal against Sherriff, with their last two meetings ending in goalless draws. Sheriff secured a 2-0 win in the qualifying campaign of the UEFA Champions League in 2006 against Pyunik.
Sheriff form guide (all competitions): W-D-W-L-W
Pyunik form guide (all competitions): L-D-W-L-L
Sheriff vs Pyunik Team News
Sheriff
Stjepan Radeljic was not in the team sheet for the first leg, and his involvement here remains doubtful. Regi Lushkja, Pernambuco, and Danila Ignatov have been left out of the squad for the game due to undisclosed reasons.
Injured: None
Doubtful: Stjepan Radeljic
Suspended: None
Unavailable: Regi Lushkja, Pernambuco, Danila Ignatov
Pyunik
Nikita Baranov is a long-term absentee with an injury, while Aras Ozbiliz and David Davidyan have not been included in the squad for this game due to undisclosed reasons.
Injured: Nikita Baranov
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Unavailable: Aras Ozbiliz, David Davidyan
Sheriff vs Pyunik Predicted XIs
Sheriff Tiraspol (4-3-3): Dumitru Celeadnic (GK); Renan Guedes, Gabi Kiki, Heron, Patrick Kpozo; Mouhamed Diop, Moussa Kyabou, Cedric Badolo; Abou Ouattara, Kay Tejan, Rasheed Ibrahim Akanbi
Pyunik (4-3-3): David Yurchenko (GK); Anton Bratkov, Mikhail Kovalenko, Zoran Gajic, Juninho; Eugeniu Cociuc, Artak Dashyan,, Hovhannes Harutyunyan; Uros Nenadovic, Luka Juricic, Yusuf Otubanjo
$1,100 First Bet Insurance at Caesars
Sheriff vs Pyunik Prediction
Pyunik have not scored against their Moldovan hosts, and their goalless run in the qualifying campaign has stretched to three games. Sheriff have home advantage and also a slightly better European record than their rivals, which should come in handy to secure a narrow win.
Prediction: Sheriff 2-1 Pyunik.
