Ordabasy vs. Petrocub (Wednesday, 4.00pm)
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Both making their long-awaited debuts in this competition, Ordabasy and Petrocub Hincesti will meet for the first leg of their first-round clash in Champions League qualifying on Wednesday night.
The Blue and Whites are in the midst of a domestic campaign as they gun for back-to-back Kazakhstan league titles, whilst the Hincesti Lions will commence their 2024-25 schedule in Shymkent.
We say: Ordabasy 1-0 Petrocub Hincesti
Already in the middle of their 2024 domestic schedule, Ordabasy should be sharper than their opponents and ready to take advantage of a Petrocub side who have only played one friendly fixture.
The Hincesti Lions enjoyed a fairytale season to earn a spot in the Champions League, but we feel the Moldovans will have work to do at home next week following a first-leg defeat.
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Flora vs. Celje (Wednesday, 5.00pm)
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Slovenian side Celje will travel to the Estonian capital for Wednesday's Champions League qualifying clash against Floria.
The side that prevails over the two legs will go on to face either Slovan Bratislava or Struga in the second qualifying round.
We say: Flora 1-2 Celje
Celje have won two of their previous three European away matches and we think they will draw upon those successes to beat a Flora side who have lost each of their last four matches in Champions League qualifying.
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Slovan Bratislava vs. Struga (Wednesday, 6.00pm)
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Slovan Bratislava and Struga will both kick off their Champions League campaigns on Wednesday, when they meet at the Tehelne pole in the first leg of a first-qualifying-round tie.
The hosts fell short in qualifying in the third round last year, eventually settling for a place in the Europa Conference League, while their visitors missed out on a spot in the group stage of Europe's tertiary competition in the playoff round in 2023.
We say: Slovan Bratislava 3-0 Struga
While Struga head into another exciting qualifying campaign with momentum from their recent league win, Slovan Bratislava boast more quality throughout their ranks and should make the most of home advantage to move well clear in their first-round tie.
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RFS vs. Larne (Wednesday, 6.00pm)
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Northern Irish side Larne will travel to Latvia for Wednesday's Champions League qualifying clash with Rigas Futbola Skola.
Both sides will be keen to get the upper hand before the tie returns to Northern Ireland next week, with the winner set to face Bodo/Glimt in the second qualifying round.
We say: Rigas Futbola Skola 2-1 Larne
Larne have lost three of their previous five away matches in UEFA competition (D2) and we think they will experience more disappointment on their European travels, especially as RFS have won nine of their last 10 home matches.
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Ludogorets vs. Dinamo Batumi (Wednesday, 7.00pm)
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Ludogorets Razgrad are set to face Dinamo Batumi at the Huvepharma Arena on Wednesday in the first of their two-legged showdown in the first round of Champions League qualifying.
The hosts have qualified for the Champions League group stage on two occasions, while the visitors lost in the first round of their only previous attempt at qualifying for the competition.
We say: Ludogorets Razgrad 2-1 Dinamo Batumi
While Dinamo Batumi's side should be more match fit with their opponents not playing a competitive match in over a month, the hosts have far more experience competing at this level and we expect Ludogorets to get over the line with a victory here.
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KI vs. Differdange (Wednesday, 7.00pm)
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KI Klaksvik will welcome FC Differdange 03 to the Djupumyra Stadium on Wednesday for the first leg of their tie in the first round of Champions League qualifying.
The hosts dropped out of qualifying in the third round last year and featured in the Europa Conference League group stage, while their visitors have not turned out in Europe's top competition since 1980.
We say: KI Klaksvik 2-0 FC Differdange 03
With home advantage and more momentum in the midst of their league campaign and following consecutive victories, we back KI Klaksvik to come out on top on Wednesday and build a healthy lead ahead of next week's second leg.
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Dinamo Minsk vs. Pyunik (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
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The first qualifying round of the 2024-25 Champions League gets underway this week, and on Wednesday evening, we will see Dinamo Minsk take on FC Pyunik in a first-leg encounter.
Varosi Stadion will be the venue for the first match between these sides while the second leg will take place on July 16 at the Banants Stadium in Yerevan, Armenia.
We say: Dinamo Minsk 1-0 FC Pyunik
Minsk will enter this opening round of Champions League qualifying as the more match-fit side considering they are already midway through their domestic league campaign, while the visitors have not played a competitive match in two months. We are expecting a close contest but fancy the hosts to edge this first-leg encounter.
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Borac Banja Luka vs. Egnatia Rrogozhine (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Borac Banja Luka will take on Egnatia Rrogozhine on Wednesday at the Gradski Stadion in the first leg of their Champions League first-qualifying round matchup.
The hosts have taken part in qualifying twice previously but have fallen to aggregate defeats on both occasions, while the visitors are set to make their debut in this competition.
We say: Borac Banja Luka 1-1 Egnatia Rrogozhine
Neither team has much experience competing at this level and both will want to stay in the game ahead of the second leg in Albania, leading us to expect this one to be a cagey affair and to end in a draw.
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Oliver Thomas
