The first leg of the third qualifying round of the 2025/26 Conference League between Anderlecht (Belgium) and Sheriff (Moldova) will take place on August 7 at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels. Anderlecht vs. Sheriff: prediction and statistics.
Anderlecht
Besnik Hasi's side began this European season in the Europa League, but the encounter with Häcken was a disappointment for the fans. After a 1-0 home victory, Anderlecht lost away (1-2) and fell short in the penalty shootout. Consequently, the team dropped to the Conference League, where the Belgians advanced just one round in the 2021/22 season but reached the quarter-finals the following year, losing to AZ Alkmaar. The defeat to the Dutch side in the return leg was Anderlecht's first in their last five Conference League matches (3 wins, 1 draw).
- At least one opponent failed to score in 5 of Anderlecht's last 7 Conference League games.
- The club has not lost at home in 5 of their last 6 matches in this tournament (3 wins, 2 draws).
- In 5 of their last 6 home games in the Conference League, Anderlecht scored exactly 1 or 2 goals.
Predicted lineup for Anderlecht (4-5-1)
Colin Coosemans – Ali Maamar, Lucas Hey, Marco Kana, Moussa N'Diaye – Yari Verschaeren, Nilson Angulo, Thorgan Hazard, Enric Llansana, Nathan De Kat – Luis Vazquez.
Sheriff
The team from Chișinău also finds itself in the Conference League after being eliminated from a higher-ranked tournament. In the current Europa League edition, Viktor Mihailov's side defeated Prishtina (4-0, 1-2) but lost both legs in the second round to Utrecht (1-3, 1-4). Sheriff last played in the Conference League in the 2022/23 season, having dropped there after finishing third in the Europa League group stage. The Moldovans reached the round of 16, where they were defeated by Nice.
- The club has lost 5 of their last 6 matches in the Conference League.
- The team has conceded in 16 consecutive away games in European competitions.
- In 8 of their last 9 away matches on the international stage, Sheriff has not scored more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Sheriff (3-4-3)
Ivan Dyulgerov – Natus Jamel Sven, Nana Kwame Boakye, Soumaila Magassouba – Rai Lopez, Ibrahima Ternasuma, Peter Ademo, Alessio Miya – Papa Yade, Mamadi Diarra, Amarildo Gjoni.
Referee
Nenad Minakovic (Serbia)
Matches – 12 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 51;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.2;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 17%.
Match Prediction: Anderlecht vs. Sheriff
The Belgians were favorites against Häcken, but the team unexpectedly lost to the Swedes. In the upcoming match, Besnik Hasi's side will surely look to redeem themselves in the eyes of their fans, which will likely pose a significant challenge for Sheriff's defense. Anderlecht regularly finds the net in the Conference League and demonstrates good scoring ability even in more prestigious European competitions. Last season, the club participated in the Europa League and scored at least two goals in all their home group stage matches.
The Moldovans have not impressed on the international stage. The team has lost 11 of their last 13 matches in European competitions (2 wins) and has also been defeated in 5 of 6 Conference League matches. Furthermore, in three away Conference League games, Chișinău conceded 7 goals. Moreover, the team has failed to keep a clean sheet in 16 consecutive away games in European competitions, and in 7 of their last 8 away matches in the Conference and Europa Leagues, they have conceded at least two goals.
My prediction: Anderlecht individual total over 1.5
