On Tuesday, Hamrun Spartans will welcome Lincoln Red Imps for the first leg of a Champions League qualifying tie.
The hosts are appearing at this stage for a second straight season, while the visitors are participating in Champions League qualifying for the fourth year in a row.
Match preview
Hamrun Spartans earned their place in the qualifying draw by retaining the Maltese Premier League title last season.
They racked up 62 points from 26 matches to finish five points clear at the top of the table, ensuring that they could celebrate a second straight title success.
After finishing last term with a five-game unbeaten run, Hamrun Spartans will be looking to pick up where they left off when they begin their 2024-25 campaign in Champions League qualifying.
They will be hoping to avoid another defeat in the first round of qualifying after losing 6-1 on aggregate to Maccabi Haifa at this stage of the 2023-24 competition.
Hamrun Spartans lost 4-0 in the home leg of that tie, contributing to a run of form which has seen them win just one of their previous five European home matches (D1, L3).
Meanwhile, Lincoln Red Imps held off St Joseph's to win the 2023-24 Gibraltar Football League title and secure their spot in the Champions League qualifying rounds.
Lincoln Red Imps have lost their previous two ties in the first round of qualifying, including a 6-1 aggregate defeat to Qarabag in last season's competition
As a result, they are looking to win a Champions League tie for the first time since beating Fola Esch in the opening round of qualifying in 2021-22.
Their hopes of claiming a positive result on Tuesday may be tempered by the fact that they have lost 14 of their last 17 European away matches.
However, they will at least carry an impressive unbeaten run into the 2024-25 campaign, having avoided defeat in 17 consecutive games since losing to St Joseph's in December.
Team News
Henry Bonello is likely to feature in goal for the hosts, with Steve Borg, Emerson and Elionay in contention to make up the back three.
Luke Montebello is expected to lead the Hamran Spartans line after scoring 24 goals in 32 competitive appearances last season.
As for the visitors, goalkeeper Nauzet Garcia is set to feature in between the posts, and he could be shielded by a back four of Ibrahim Ayew, Bernardo Lopes, Roy Chipolina and Ethan Britto.
Tjay De Barr is likely to feature in the forward line, having scored nine goals in 15 competitive appearances since returning to the club from Wycombe Wanderers in January.
Hamrun Spartans possible starting lineup:
Bonello; Emerson, Borg, Elionay; Mbong, Prsa, Mifsud, Camenzuli; Ederson, Corbalan, Montebello
Lincoln Red Imps possible starting lineup:
Garcia; Ayew, Lopes, Chipolina, Britto; Yahaya, Mandi, Burnet; Villacanas, Nano, De Barr
We say: Hamrun Spartans 2-1 Lincoln Red Imps
Hamrun Spartans may have struggled in recent home outings in UEFA competitions, but we think that they could claim a narrow win over a Lincoln Red Imps side that has lost 14 of their previous 17 European away matches.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
