This season's surprise package Sheriff Tiraspol will be seeking revenge against Serie A champions Inter Milan, when they lock horns at the Bolshaya Sportivnaya Arena in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The Italians became the first team to inflict defeat on the tournament debutants last month, with a 3-1 victory at the San Siro, and will now be looking to claim another three points as they aim to leapfrog the current Group D leaders.

Match preview

If you were to have asked football supporters across the globe, including those who support Sheriff Tiraspol, whether they could envisage the Moldovans sitting top of Group D at the halfway point, many would have laughed at the prospect.

However, the Champions League debutants are defying all the odds and are exceeding expectations as they sit at the summit with six points from a possible nine available.

Their 2-0 victory against Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk seemed a huge coup for Yuriy Vernydub's side, until they stunned everyone by beating 13-time champions Real Madrid 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu last month.

Hopes of a third successive victory were spoiled by Serie A holders Inter Milan, who secured a 3-1 win at San Siro to keep Group D wide open heading into the final three group-stage matches.

Vernydub's men head into Wednesday's clash after winning 10 of their first 12 matches in the Moldovan top flight, scoring 35 times and conceding just four in the process.

Sheriff have looked solid defensively, though their backline was breached on three occasions against Inter last time out, so they will be aware of the Italian's attacking threat in midweek.

The Yellow-Blacks are unbeaten in their last five home games in major European competition, and another triumph on Wednesday would guarantee their place in the top three of Group D, meaning they will feature in the knockout rounds of either the Champions League or Europa League later this season.

Since beating Sheriff last month, Inter have claimed seven points out of nine on offer in Serie A, including all three against Udinese, who they beat 2-0 at San Siro last weekend.

An eight-minute brace midway through the second half from summer signing Joaquin Correa helped the Scudetto champions claim their seventh league victory of the campaign. However, Simone Inzaghi's men remain seven points behind joint-league leaders AC Milan and Napoli, who they are to face in succession after their midweek showdown with Sheriff.

Following an inconsistent start in Group D - winning, drawing and losing one game - Inter Milan still have plenty of work to do if they are to avoid a fourth consecutive elimination in the Champions League group stages.

The Nerazzurri have won only two of their last 10 games in Europe's elite club competition and Inzaghi will be hoping his side can improve in their final three group fixtures as they aim to close the two-point gap to both Sheriff and Real Madrid at the top.

Each of Inter's last 17 Champions League goals away from home have been scored from open play. However, two of their three goals against Sheriff last month were scored from set-pieces, so dead-ball situations could be key for the Italians once again on Wednesday.

Victory for the Nerazzurri at the Bolshaya Sportivnaya Arena would see them record successive victories in the Champions League for the first time since October 2018.

Team News

Aside from Christian Eriksen's inability to play for Inter Milan, Inzaghi has a fully-fit squad to choose from ahead of Wednesday's match.

Inzaghi is unlikely to make too many changes to his starting lineup, though Dutch centre-back Stefan De Vrij is expected to return at the expense of Andrea Ranocchia, joining Milan Skriniar and Alessandro Bastoni in a three-man defence.

After scoring a brace at the weekend, Correa will be hoping he can retain his place in attack with Edin Dzeko, though Lautaro Martinez is a strong contender to start.

Turkish playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu will be competing with Stefano Sensi and Arturo Vidal for a place in centre-midfield, alongside ever-present duo Nicolo Barella and Marcelo Brozovic.

As for Sheriff, they will be without forward Lovro Bizjak due to a foot injury, while Momo Yansane and Boban Nikolov are both doubtful with knocks.

A similar starting lineup that began at the San Siro last month could play again on Wednesday, with Adama Traore, Dimitris Kolovos and Bruno supporting central striker Jasurbek Yakhshiboev in attack.

Luxembourg midfielder Sebastien Thill, who has scored in each of his last two Champions League matches against Real Madrid and Inter, is set to start again alongside 21-year-old Edmund Addo.

Sheriff Tiraspol possible starting lineup:
Celeadnic; Fernando, Arboleda, Dulanto, Cristiano; Addo, Thill; Traore, Kolovos, Bruno; Yakhshiboev

Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Handanovic; Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Perisic; Dzeko, Martinez

We say: Sheriff Tiraspol 1-2 Inter Milan

Sheriff have shown in their first three group-stage matches that they cannot be considered pushovers and will be tough opponents again for Inter on Wednesday.

Nevertheless, the Italians found a way to come out on top against the Moldovan champions last month and should have enough quality and firepower to breach their backline once again.

Previews by email