Elfsborg v Sheriff Tiraspol

Elfsborg vs Sheriff Tiraspol Preview

Elfsborg's promising six-match winning streak was brought to a sudden halt on the weekend when they suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Djurgarden in the Swedish Allsvenskan but the hosts will now turn their attentions back to the matter in hand on the European stage when they play host to Moldovan club Sheriff Tiraspol in this 2nd leg tie of their 2nd qualifying round in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Elfsborg hold a slender 1-0 lead after last week's 1st leg win at the Bolshaya Sportivnaya Arena as the hosts return to the home surroundings of their Borås Arena, no doubt keen to put this tie to bed and progress through to the next qualifying round with another win here.

Elfsborg had previously racked up six wins on the trot in all competitions which includes an 8-2 win on aggregate against Cypriot outfit Pafos in the previous round of qualifying in this competition along with earlier home wins against Brommapojkarna and Mjallby in the Swedish domestic top flight as well.

Goals also look likely to figure in this return leg at the Borås Arena as no fewer than seven of Elfsborg's last 10 home games have resulted in Over 2.5 goals being scored.

Sheriff Tiraspol will be disappointed to have conceded so late in last week's 1st leg tie at their Bolshaya Sportivnaya Arena as the hosts looked for all money to be heading into this 2nd leg tie on level terms with their Swedish counterparts before Elfsborg scored a late winner from the penalty spot.

Sheriff have not yet started their new Moldovan top flight season yet but nevertheless the Moldovan visitors have progressed through to this 2nd qualifying round in this season's Europa League thanks to recording a win on penalties against Azerbaijan side, Zira, after the scores were level at 2-2 after the two legs.

Recent results though have been something of a mixed bag for Yurii Hura's side as Sheriff Tiraspol have managed to capture just three wins in their last nine games in all competitions along with being involved in one draw but also being handed five defeats within this period as well.

Three of these five losses have been incurred on their travels as Sheriff have been dealt defeats on the road at Zimbru (domestic cup and Super Liga) and Petrocub, so this upcoming trip to face Elfsborg on Thursday night may be a bridge too far for the Moldovan side, while five of their last 10 games overall have produced three goals or more.

Elfsborg v Sheriff Tiraspol Verdict.

It's been nine years since Elfsborg last appeared in the Europa League competition but having won their last three ties on the trot, two of which were Over 2.5 goals, a home win plus a few goals looks to be on the cards here.

Therefore, our main bet will be Over 2.5 goals @ 1.72

Other side bets worth considering:

Elfsborg win & Over 2.5 goals @ 2.25

Correct Score: Elfsborg 2-1 @ 9.00