Panevezys vs. HJK Helsinki (Tuesday, 4.30pm)
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The 2024-25 Champions League campaign will get underway when HJK Helsinki travel to Lithuania for Tuesday's first leg of the qualifying clash with Panevezys.
The winner of the first-round qualifying tie will go on to face Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok in the next stage.
We say: Panevezys 1-2 HJK Helsinki
HJK have not won a European away game since beating Maribor in Europa League qualifying in August 2022, but we think that winless run will come to an end when they face a Panevezys side who will be low on confidence after losing four of their previous six matches.
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Hamrun Spartans vs. Lincoln (Tuesday, 5.45pm)
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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.
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.
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New Saints vs. Decic (Tuesday, 7.00pm)
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The New Saints will begin their 2024-25 campaign when they play host to Decic in Tuesday's Champions League qualifying clash.
The Welsh side will look to make use of home advantage, before they head to Montenegro next week for the second leg of the first-round qualifying tie.
We say: The New Saints 1-0 Decic
With both sides set to play their first game of 2024-25, we think Tuesday's contest could produce a cagey contest as the two teams look to ease themselves into the new campaign.
However, we think TNS could make full use of home advantage to claim a narrow victory over a Decic side that has failed to win any of their previous four European outings.
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UE Santa Coloma vs. KF Ballkani (Tuesday, 7.00pm)
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The first qualifying round of the 2024-25 Champions League campaign kicks off on Tuesday with UE Santa Coloma hosting KF Ballkani in the first leg.
The winner of this first qualifying round will face Denmark's FC Midtjylland in the second qualifying round later this month.
We say: UE Santa Coloma 0-1 KF Ballkani
UE Santa Coloma have never won a European qualifying match and have struggled to even find the net. In contrast, Ballkani have progressed past this stage before and have the necessary experience to navigate this encounter.
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Vikingur vs. Shamrock (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
![Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley on October 27, 2022 [Imago]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/26/stephen-bradley.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley on October 27, 2022 [Imago]")
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Vikingur Reykjavik and Shamrock Rovers get underway in the Champions League qualifiers when they lock horns at the Vikingsvollur Stadium in the first qualifying round on Tuesday.
The hosts head into the midweek clash fresh off the back of reaching the Icelandic Men's Football Cup final and will be looking to pick up a vital first-leg victory.
We say: Vikingur Reykjavik 2-1 Shamrock Rovers
Fresh off the back of a thrilling cup victory, Vikingur will head into Tuesday's clash with confidence as they look to kick off their qualifying campaign on a high. While Shamrock Rovers will be looking to pick up where they left off against Dundalk, they have struggled for results on the road, where they have lost three of their last four games. We predict a cagey affair at the Vikingsvollur Stadium, with the home side coming away with a narrow victory.
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Virtus vs. FCSB (Tuesday, 8.00pm)
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Virtus are set to host FCSB at Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle in the first leg of the first round of the Champions League Qualification playoffs on Tuesday.
In the 2023-24 season the home side finished first in San Marino's Campionato with 79 points out of a possible 90, while Romanian champions FCSB finished first in their regular season and earned qualification to the Champions League first round by winning their championship playoff group.
We say: Virtus 0-3 FCSB
Although Virtus come into Tuesday's clash after a strong domestic campaign, it will be difficult for them to compete against their more established opponents.
As such, it would not be surprising to see FCSB dominate possession and have prolonged spells in the final third.
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Ben Knapton
