Tuesday's Champions League qualifying predictions: Saints set to make a winning start
- Tuesday's Champions League qualifying features six first-leg ties
- Recommended bets:
- The New Saints/The New Saints half-time/full-time
- Back Vikingur Reykjavik to win
Qualifying for the 2024-25 Champions League gets underway this week, beginning with six first-leg ties on Tuesday including matches for Irish side Shamrock Rovers and Welsh outfit The New Saints.
European regulars FCSB and HJK are also in action, with games kicking off at various times from 4.30pm to 8pm BST, and we have you covered with two bets for the opening round of fixtures from Europe's premier competition, with the focus being on the sides closest to home.
The New Saints vs FK Decic Tuzi (Tuesday, 7pm)
The stats
The New Saints have lost their last three Champions League qualifying matches, being defeated in both legs by Swedish side Hacken last season.
This will be FK Decic's first ever foray into the Champions League and they were knocked out in the first round of Europa Conference League qualifying in each of the past two seasons.
TNS won their last 14 home league games of last season, scoring an eye-watering 59 goals in that run.
The visitors played two friendlies in preparation for this match, losing both of those clashes 2-0.
Prediction
First-round qualifiers have not been The New Saints' friend in recent campaigns, as they have bailed out at this stage on three of their last four attempts to make the Champions League proper, but a clash with UCL newcomers FK Decic will fill them with confidence.
According to UEFA's coefficient rating, the Welsh Premier is the 50th best league in Europe, while the Montenegrin First League is the 51st. That would suggest there will be little to split these two respective champions on Tuesday, but home advantage could be pivotal for the hosts.
TNS won their last 14 league matches at Park Hall last term, scoring a ludicrous 59 goals at an average of 4.2 per game. With the Montenegrin league ranked below the Welsh Premier, those results provide a great example of what to expect from this clash, suggesting Decic, who lost their two warm-up friendlies 2-0, could struggle from start to finish against the Saints.
Vikingur Reykjavik vs Shamrock Rovers (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
The stats
Vikingur narrowly lost 6-5 on aggregate to Malmo on their last appearance in Champions League first qualifying round.
Shamrock Rovers have endured a miserable season in Ireland, with the defending champions sitting fourth and 13 points adrift of the leaders Shelbourne.
Reykjavik are five points clear at the top of the Icelandic Urvalsdeild and are unbeaten in 14 all-competition home matches.
Rovers have won just three of their last 10 matches and have lost three of their last four on the road.
Prediction
Shamrock have more recent European pedigree than their opponents having won plenty of qualifying ties in the past and making the Europa League proper in the 2011-12 campaign.
Ireland is also rated higher than Iceland in UEFA's coefficient, yet it is nigh-on impossible to recommend Stephen Bradley's side on current form.
Rovers have won only three of their last 10 games as their dismal title defence has continued all season long while their struggles on the road, including three losses from their last four on their travels, make this away first-leg far from ideal.
Vikingur's title defence has gone far smoother as they are five points clear at the top in Iceland after romping to the title with 19 wins from 22 games last term. The hosts are unbeaten in 14 home matches and have scored an impressive 37 goals in that run.
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