Utrecht Faces Sheriff in Europa League Qualifier
FC Utrecht is gearing up for a crucial Europa League qualifier against FC Sheriff Tiraspol. The first leg takes place in Moldova, marking the start of Utrecht's European campaign after their impressive fourth-place finish in the Eredivisie last season. Coach Ron Jans will be eager to maintain their momentum as they face a Sheriff side with more recent European experience.
Sheriff's Early Season Form
Sheriff Tiraspol has already begun their domestic league season, boasting a strong record of four wins and one draw in five games. Their attack is firing on all cylinders, having scored 12 goals while conceding only two. Utrecht will need to be particularly wary of Amarildo Gjoni, the Albanian striker who's already netted four goals in five matches. Sheriff reached this stage by overcoming FC Prishtina with a 5-2 aggregate victory.
Utrecht's Transfer Activity
Utrecht has been active in the transfer market, securing Yoann Cathline on a permanent deal after his impressive loan spell. Miguel Rodriquez, Mike Eerdhuijzen, and Davy van den Berg have also joined the squad. However, Jens Toornstra, Mattijs Branderhorst, and Gisbon Yah have departed. The club is also hoping to bring back Sebastien Haller, who scored six goals in 18 games during his loan spell. With Paxten Aaronson back at Eintracht Frankfurt, players like David Min and Noah Ohio will need to step up.
Potential Third Round Opponents
Should Utrecht overcome Sheriff, they could face either Viktoria Plzen from the Czech Republic or Servette FC from Switzerland in the third qualifying round. The draw has already been made, adding extra motivation for Utrecht to progress. The third-round matches are scheduled for August 7th and 14th.
Accumulator Tips Suggest High-Scoring Game
Football analysts are predicting a high-scoring game between Sheriff and Utrecht, with Over 2.5 goals being a popular tip. This suggests an exciting and open encounter between the two sides.
- Key Matchup: FC Sheriff Tiraspol vs FC Utrecht
- Competition: UEFA Europa League Qualifiers
- Date: July 24, 2025