SSC Farul will be aiming to secure a lead from the first leg of their Champions League first-round qualifying tie against Sheriff Tiraspol on Wednesday.

The match will be played at Stadionul Viitorul, pitting Romania's champions against Moldova's title winners.

Match preview

Indeed, Farul have reached the qualifying rounds of the Champions League for only the second time in their history, having lifted the Romanian Liga 1 title for the first time last season.

Managed by the legendary ex-footballer Gheorghe Hagi, who played for both Real Madrid and Barcelona during his glittering playing career, Farul sealed their maiden title in some style by coming from two goals down to beat the country's historically most successful club Steaua Bucuresti 3-2.

Hagi, who scored 35 goals in 124 caps for Romania, will be hopeful that growing momentum at the club will take them on a European journey this season, having only previously competed in the Intertoto Cup.

Farul's only previous Champions League venture ended with a 4-1 aggregate defeat to APOEL in the third round of qualifying in 2017, but they did manage to win their home leg before being beaten in Cyprus, suggesting that they have every chance of securing a first leg lead on Wednesday.

Sheriff, on the other hand, have competed in the Champions League group stage on one occasion, having famously beaten Real Madrid two years ago.

That result at Sheriff Stadium sent shockwaves across the continent, with Zholto-Chornyye subsequently demonstrating that it was no fluke by taking four points from two games against Shakhtar Donetsk to finish above the Ukrainians and drop into the Europa League knockout stages.

Sheriff were beaten on penalties by Braga in that season's competition, before finishing third in their Europa League group last campaign, with Roberto Bordin's side crashing out to Nice at the last-16 stage of the Europa Conference League.

Having retained the Moldovan National Division title for the eighth successive season last time out, Bordin and his players will be confident that their recent European pedigree stands them in strong stead to see off the threat of Farul in the opening qualifying round.

Team News

Hagi could name a similar starting XI to the side that was defeated 1-0 by Sepsi in the Romanian Super Cup at the weekend, meaning that 17-year-old Adrian Mazilu could line up on the right flank.

As such, the brilliantly-named Rivaldinho may have to be patient from the bench once again, having made the switch from Universitatea Craiova a couple of months ago.

Sheriff, meanwhile, will travel without Rasheed Akanbi after the winger recently underwent surgery, but Cedric Ngah is available as his suspension only applies to Moldovan Cup matches.

Bordin must choose between Maksym Koval and Razak Abalora in goal, with the former's experience perhaps likely to see him receive the nod.

SSC Farul possible starting lineup:
Aioani; Kiki, Queiros, Boli, Borza; Vina, Nedelcu, Artean; Mazilu, Alibec, Sali

Sheriff Tiraspol possible starting lineup:
Koval; Tovar, Garananga, Radeljic; Zohouri, Badolo, Kyabou, Talal, Luvannor; Ricardinho, Yansane

We say: SSC Farul 1-1 Sheriff Tiraspol

Sheriff will be favourites to progress from this tie given that they have regularly competed in European competitions in recent seasons, but Farul should not be underestimated having made great strides under Hagi's tutelage in recent years.

However, we can envisage the visitors playing for a draw in the away leg before going for the win at Sheriff Stadium, and we expect them to achieve the first part of those aims on Wednesday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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