KI Klaksvik and Sheriff Tiraspol meet in the Europa League playoff round on Thursday as they bid to earn a spot in the group stages.
However, whoever loses this two-legged tie will drop into the Europa Conference League, a scenario which may ease the pressure on both sides ahead into this contest.
Match preview
Of all the European stories that have been written since the start of 2023-24, Klaksvik is the most notable with the Faroe Islands representatives embarking on a journey that will see them participate in the group stages of European football for the first time.
Having upset the odds to overcome Ferencvaros and Hacken in Champions League qualifying, they lost out to Molde in the penultimate stage before the main draw, only succumbing in extra time.
Although that came as a blow, Magne Hoseth's side have put themselves in a position where six group fixtures in the Europa Conference League is a worst-case scenario.
Nevertheless, there will be no complacency from what has already been achieved, one of the ultimate minnows currently participating on the continent dreaming of trips to high-profile clubs in the second-tier competition rather than the third.
Perhaps understandably, KI have failed to win either of their last two domestic fixtures, but Hoseth will hope that his players rise to the occasion of playing in what is arguably one of the biggest matches of their existence.
From Sheriff's perspective, they cannot quite be described as veterans of European competition, but they have featured in the group stages of the Champions League and Europa League in the past two years.
Their win against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu remains one of the greatest European upsets in history, while the Moldovan side reached the last 16 of the Europa Conference League in 2022-23.
This time around, they were defeated by Maccabi Haifa in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, before storming to a 7-3 aggregate success over BATE Borisov in this competition.
Roberto Bordin's side have also started the new top-flight campaign with three successive wins and clean sheets, highlighting the size of the task awaiting KI.
- D
- D
- W
- L
- L
- D
- L
- W
- W
- W
- D
- W
Team News
On the back of going to extra time with Molde and the anticipation of this match, Hoseth rung the changes to his KI XI on Sunday.
Rene Joensen retained his place against 07 Vestur and scored in that fixture, but his first-half withdrawal due to injury may see him miss out on Thursday.
Mads Mikkelsen could be brought into the team in his place, a side which should look similar to the one which started the second leg versus the Norwegian giants.
Bordin also made mass changes to his Sheriff side for their domestic fixture with Dacia Buiucani at the weekend.
Momo Yansane, David Ankeye and Cristian Tovar all got their names on the scoresheet, but they may not retain their places for the first leg.
KI Klaksvik possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Faero, Vatnsdal, Forren; Danielsen, Pavlovic, Andreasen, Mikkelsen; Frederiksberg, Kassi, Kronberg
Sheriff Tiraspol possible starting lineup:
Koval; Kiki, Garananga, Artunduaga; Apostolakis, Ademo, Ricardinho, Paulo; Mbekeli, Luvannor, Badolo
We say: KI Klaksvik 1-2 Sheriff Tiraspol
Although Klaksvik have enjoyed a dream run of form in recent weeks, they are beginning to face steps up in quality. With that in mind, we expect Sheriff to edge this match, giving them the platform to get the job done in the reverse fixture.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
