Europa League Group G leaders Slavia Prague travel to Transnistria to face Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday in the hope of keeping Roma at arm's length in the race for top spot.

Given the importance of topping the group, as it ensures passage directly to the last 16, Slavia are currently in the ascendancy on goal difference, with nothing to split the sides on head-to-head.

Match preview

After enjoying some unbelievable highs in Europe over recent years, it has been a rotten campaign for Sheriff so far.

One point from their four group games so far means they are already eliminated, and their fate is out of their hands regarding a Europa Conference League spot.

Sitting three points behind Servette in third, Sheriff most likely need to take at least four points from their final two games, which come against Slavia and Roma - the two runaway leaders.

The group could have looked much different had Sheriff not imploded in Geneva on matchday four, though, as a late collapse saw them squander a 1-0 lead in the closing stages to lose.

Roman Pylypchuk's side have only conceded twice in their last 10 domestic matches, winning nine and scoring 31 goals in the process, but a 6-0 defeat in the reverse to Slavia just emphasises the difference in quality of the sides Sheriff face in Moldova compared to on the continent.

That margin of victory for Slavia could be vital when it comes to who wins this group and, therefore, avoids playing in the preliminary round in February.

Slavia are currently top of the group on goal difference, after they and Roma exchanged 2-0 wins earlier in the group, meaning that will now be the decider.

The Czech side lead Roma by three on goal difference, so two wins is likely to be enough for Slavia to top the group, unless the Italian side can produce some very high-scoring victories.

With three clean sheets in four as well, Jindrich Trpisovsky's men have shown strength at both ends of the pitch, with Slavia now favourites to top the group.

Slavia showed fantastic spirit in their win over Roma on matchday four, as it came just days after losing at home to Viktoria Plzen domestically, surrendering top spot to local rivals Sparta Prague.

Team News

Sheriff showed ill-discipline in losing at Servette last time out, as Gaby Kiki and Armel Zohouri were both sent off late on and will be suspended here.

With Abou Ouattara and Rasheed Akanbi both absent in attack, Pylypchuk will be glad to have welcomed Vinicius Paiva and Luvannor back to the side at the weekend, with the latter getting on the scoresheet.

After having only four outfielders on the bench in their clash with Servette, the hosts should be able to name a stronger squad here, especially if Moussa Kyabou can get over a minor issue ahead of this one.

Slavia were without a number of first-team players at the weekend, but many could return with the priority for now being on winning this group.

Young midfielders David Pech and Matej Jurasek are both currently absent, with Taras Kacharaba and Tomas Holes facing a race to be fit before the trip to Moldova.

Ivan Schranz returned from injury playing for Slovakia last week, and he was given a 15-minute cameo off the bench by Trpisovsky in the win over Ceske Budejovice.

David Doudera also starred during the international break, scoring in the Czech Republic's win over Moldova which saw them qualify for Euro 2024, and he should return after being left out over the weekend.

Sheriff Tiraspol possible starting lineup:
Koval; Bueno, Tovar, Apostolakis; Badolo, Talal, Ricardinho, Joao Paulo, Artunduaga; Ankeye, Ngom Mbekeli

Slavia Prague possible starting lineup:
Mandous; Masopust, Ogbu, Vlcek; Doudera, Zafeiris, Dorley, Boril; Jurecka, Chytil, Schranz

We say: Sheriff Tiraspol 0-2 Slavia Prague

Slavia came up with a big win over Roma on matchday four, so they will want to ensure they do not waste the opportunity they now have to win the group by claiming all three points against a side they beat 6-0 less than two months ago.

Sheriff have been way below the level they have shown in past European campaigns, and are likely to suffer the fate of bottom place in this group by losing here.


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