MX23RW : Tuesday, December 3 17:19:25| >> :600:1434932:1434932:
[monks data]
Champions League | First Qualifying Round | 1st Leg
Jul 9, 2024 at 7pm UK
Park Hall Stadium

New Saints
3 - 0
Decic

Young (4', 28'), Davies (39')
Davies (81'), Roberts (84')
FT(HT: 3-0)

Ujkaj (22'), Matic (45')

Preview: The New Saints vs. Decic - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Champions League clash between The New Saints and Decic, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

The New Saints will begin their 2024-25 campaign when they play host to Decic in Tuesday's Champions League qualifying clash.

They 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.


Match preview

Last season, TNS collected 92 points from a possible 96 to storm to their third consecutive league title, securing them a spot in Champions League qualifying in the process.

They will now be hoping to progress past the first qualifying round for the first time since beating Kosovan side Feronikeli 74.

Since that success, TNS have experienced two disappointing appearances at this stage of the competition, losing after extra time to Linfield in 2022-23 before slumping to a 5-1 aggregate defeat to Hacken last season.

They have also failed to progress from any of their previous five European ties since beating Kauno Zalgiris in the second round of Europa Conference League qualifying in July 2021.

TNS will also be concerned by the fact that they have failed to win any of their previous seven matches in UEFA competition.

Decic are competing in the Champions League for the first time after winning their maiden Montenegrin First League title last season.

They won 20, drew 10 and lost just six of their 36 matches to finish six points clear of second-placed FK Mornar in the standings.

The Montenegrin champions will now look to transfer their domestic success onto the European stage, having failed to do so in their previous two appearances in UEFA competition.

They lost to Drita in the first round of Europa Conference League qualifying in 2021-22, before being beaten by Dinamo Minsk at the same stage of that competition in 2022-23.

After failing to win any of their four UEFA matches, Decic will travel to Wales with aspirations of claiming their first win in European football.


Team News

TNS are likely to line up with Connor Roberts in goal, while Ash Baker, Josh Pask, Danny Davies and Jordan Marshall could all feature in the back four.

Forward Brad Young will provide one of the home side's main goal threats after scoring 29 times in 36 competitive appearances last season.

As for Decic, they are expected to have Igor Nikic in goal, with Jonathan Dresaj, Stefan Milic, Robert Gjelaj and Pjeter Ljuljdjuraj all pushing to appear in the backline.

Bojan Matic, who joined the club in January, is set to lead the line after scoring nine goals in 14 appearances in the second half of last season.


The New Saints possible starting lineup:
Roberts; Baker, Pask, Davies, Marshall; Holden, Smith, Clark; Williams, Cieslewicz, Brad Young

Decic possible starting lineup:
Nikic; Dresaj, Milic, Gjelaj, Ljuljdjuraj; Chagas, Brozovic; Puleio, Stijepovic, Gjolaj; Matic


SM words green background

We say: The New Saints 1-0 Decic

With both sides set to play their first game of 2024-25, we think that Tuesday's contest could produce a cagey contest as the two teams look to ease themselves into the new campaign.

However, we think that 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.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




ID:547675:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5925:
Written by
Ben Sully

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: New Saints vs Decic

The New Saints
86.8%
Draw
11.3%
Decic
1.9%
53
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
General view of Newport County's Rodney Parade from January 2019
Read Next:
Sheffield Wednesday defender Ash Baker joins Newport on 18-month deal
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Browns
32-41
Broncos
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool550015
2Inter Milan541013
3Barcelona540112
4Dortmund540112
5Atalanta532011
6Arsenal531110
7Sporting Lisbon531110
8B. Leverkusen531110
9Brest531110
10Aston Villa531110
11Monaco531110
12Lille531110
13Bayern53029
14Benfica53029
15AC Milan53029
16Atletico53029
17Juventus52218
18Man City52218
19PSV52218
20Celtic52218
21Brugge52127
22Feyenoord52127
23Dinamo Zagreb52127
24Real Madrid52036
25Stuttgart51134
26Sparta Prague51134
27PSG51134
28Shakhtar51134
29Sturm Graz51043
30Girona51043
31Red Star51043
32Salzburg51043
33Bologna50141
34RB Leipzig50050
35Slovan Bratislava50050
36Young Boys50050


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!