Tuesday's Champions League qualifying predictions: Rovers could be frozen out by Icelandic opponents

Daniel Childs

Spotlight

Milorad Pekovic's Decic Tuzi are a much stronger side on home soil, while their need to win is much greater on Tuesday

- Tuesday's Champions League first-round qualifying fare includes eight second-leg ties
- Recommended bets:
- Back Decic Tuzi to win
- Back Vikingur Reykjavik to win

Qualifying for the 2024-25 Champions League continues on Tuesday with eight second-leg ties including involvement for Welsh champions The New Saints and League of Ireland Premier Division title holders Shamrock Rovers.

Former European champions FCSB are among the 16 teams competing at varying times ranging from 3.30pm to 8pm, and we have come up with two bets involving the sides closest to these shores.

FK Decic Tuzi vs The New Saints (Tuesday, 8pm)

The stats

FK Decic have lost just one of their last 10 home fixtures.

FK Decic have been knocked out in the first round of Europa Conference League qualifying in each of the past two seasons.

The New Saints have failed to win their last five two-legged European ties.

The New Saints have lost their last five away games in European competition.

Prediction

Montenegrin champions FK Decic have a mountain to climb after their 3-0 loss in Oswestry last Tuesday but they can claw back at least some of the deficit by defeating the New Saints at Gradski Stadion Podgorica.

The New Saints made a blistering start to the tie and had established a 3-0 lead by half-time in the opening leg.

But Decic settled after the break and were far from outplayed with the final shot count standing at 13 to 10 in the Welsh hosts' favour.

Decic are inconvenienced by having to play their home matches in the nation’s capital, Podgorica, but they should give a better account of themselves than seven days ago.

The New Saints have shipped 13 goals across their last five European away games (all of them defeats) and they may soon discover that there is life left in the tie.

Back Decic Tuzi to win at 9/5 with LiveScore Bet

The latest FK Decic Tuzi vs The New Saints odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Shamrock Rovers v Vikingur Reykjavik (Tuesday, 8pm)

Arnar Gunnlaugsson's Vikingur side were a little unlucky not to win last week but can make amends on Tuesday

The stats

Vikingur are unbeaten in 13 matches in all competitions.

The Icelandic champions have won four of their last six away fixtures.

Shamrock Rovers have gone 11 games without a victory in European competition.

Rovers have lost four of their last seven games in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

Prediction

Vikingur failed to make the most of their domination in last Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at home to Shamrock Rovers but they can advance the hard way by defeating their Irish opponents at Tallaght Stadium, Dublin.

Rovers defended heroically in the opening leg but were still in need of some good fortune when their opponents struck the woodwork on two occasions.

However, they lost out 3-1 on aggregate to Icelandic side Breidablik at the same stage of last season’s competition and may suffer another reverse against a side from the same league.

Back Vikingur Reykjavik to win at 8/5 with LiveScore Bet

The latest Shamrock Rovers v Vikingur Reykjavik odds are available on LiveScore Bet