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Tuesday's Champions League predictions including TNS vs. Linfield

Sports Mole provides score predictions and previews for all of today's Champions League fixtures, including The New Saints vs. Linfield.


Pyunik vs. CFR Cluj (Tuesday, 5.00pm)

Cluj's Claudiu Petrila celebrates scoring their first goal with Constantin Paun-Alexandru and Denis Alibec Inquam on September 30, 2021© Reuters

Armenian and Romanian champions FC Pyunik and CFR Cluj begin their Champions League campaigns with Tuesday's first-round qualifying first leg at the Republican Stadium after Vazgen Sargsyan.

The hosts won their 15th Armenian top-flight title last season, while Cluj were crowned top dogs in Romania for the fifth season in a row.

We say: FC Pyunik 0-2 CFR Cluj


Cluj have already demonstrated a penchant for keeping clean sheets and marching to victory away from home in their summer friendlies, which will certainly serve them well here.

Pyunik are no pushovers at home, but Petrescu's side have the advantage of greater continental experience and will expect to claim a first-leg advantage before the return leg next week.

Our tipster partners are predicting over 1.5 goals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Malmo vs. Vikingur Reykjavík (Tuesday, 6.00pm)

Malmo FF's Soren Rieks celebrates scoring their first goal with Antonio Colak and Veljko Birmancevic on November 23, 2021© Reuters

Malmo's quest to reach the 2022-23 Champions League group stages begins with the first leg of their qualifying first-round battle with Vikingur Reykjavík on Tuesday evening.

The Swedish champions are well into their domestic flow, while the visitors were forced to navigate their way past FCI Levadia and Inter Club d'Escaldes to make it to the first round.

We say: Malmo 3-1 Vikingur Reykjavík


Vikingur have done all they can by posting victory after victory in the lead-up to this game, but the greater European pedigree of Malmo will surely become apparent on their own turf.

Milojevic's squad has been depleted somewhat by injuries and illness, but the Swedish champions will expect to put one foot firmly in the second round regardless.

Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Ludogorets vs. Sutjeska Niksic (Tuesday, 6.45pm)

Ludogorets Razgrad's Kiril Despodov pictured in December 2020© Reuters

Ludogorets Razgrad will be looking to secure a first-leg advantage when they take on Sutjeska Niksic in the first leg of their Champions League first qualifying round contest on Tuesday night.

The home side, who played in the group stage of the Europa League last term, are the reigning Bulgarian champions, while Sutjeska became champions of Montenegro's top flight for the fifth time last season.

We say: Ludogorets Razgrad 2-1 Sutjeska Niksic


Sutjeska are certainly capable of making this an uncomfortable 90 minutes for Ludogorets, but we are finding it difficult to back anything other than a home victory in the first leg, and the Bulgarian outfit should ultimately have too much quality over the two matches.

Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


KF Ballkani vs. Zalgiris (Tuesday, 7.00pm)

OPED Generic Football A

KF Ballkani and FK Zalgiris will meet in the first leg of their Champions League first qualifying round contest on Tuesday evening, with both teams looking to claim an advantage.

The home side are the champions of Kosovo's top flight, while Zalgiris are the Lithuanian champions, lifting the trophy for the ninth time in their history last year.

We say: KF Ballkani 0-2 FK Zalgiris


Ballkani will believe that they need to pick up a strong result in the first leg to stand a chance of progressing to the second qualifying round, but we are finding it very difficult to predict anything other than an away success due to the gap in quality between the two sets of players.

Our tipster partners are predicting over 1.5 goals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


New Saints vs. Linfield (Tuesday, 7.00pm)

Sports Mole Generic

The champions of Wales and Northern Ireland clash at the first stage of Champions League qualifying on Tuesday evening, as The New Saints and Linfield meet at Park Hall Stadium.

Both teams will be seeking an advantage ahead of next week's return, after which the winners will advance to a second-stage encounter with either Bodo/Glimt or KI; the losers being consigned to the Europa Conference League.

We say: The New Saints 1-1 Linfield


Neither side is likely to give too much away in the first leg of this tie, so it could be a close-fought affair at Park Hall.

Nonetheless, the visitors possess enough attacking threat to strike at least once - setting themselves up well for the return in Belfast next Wednesday.

Our tipster partners are predicting over 1.5 goals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Lech Poznan vs. Qarabag FK (Tuesday, 7.00pm)

Qarabag manager Gurban Gurbanov pictured on November 5, 2020© Reuters

The long road to the Champions League group stage begins on Tuesday, as Poland's Lech Poznan and Azeri club Qarabag FK meet at Stadion Miejski Poznan for the opening leg of their first qualifying round tie.

Both teams will be seeking an advantage ahead of next week's return, after which the winners will advance to a second-stage encounter with FC Zurich; the losers being consigned to the Europa Conference League.

We say: Lech Poznan 2-1 Qarabag FK


Both sides carry a goal threat, and as domestic champions, are used to taking the initiative. Eagerness to gain a first-leg lead could open up opportunities at either end, but Lech are set to get off to a winning start under their new manager.

Our tipster partners are predicting over 1.5 goals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Shamrock vs. Hibernians (Tuesday, 7.30pm)

World Cup general image football

Shamrock Rovers begin their Champions League campaign with a first-round qualifying tie against Maltese Premier League champions Hibernians.

The Irish side will be looking to make the most of home advantage on Tuesday before they head to Malta next week for the return leg.

We say: Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Hibernians


Shamrock Rovers tend to perform well on home turf, and with the hosts over halfway through their domestic campaign, we think that they will be better prepared to claim a first leg win than the Hibernians who have played two friendlies in preparation for Tuesday's contest.

Our tipster partners are predicting a home win.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Shkupi vs. Lincoln (Tuesday, 7.45pm)

Lincoln Red Imps' Marco Rosa celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on September 30, 2021© Reuters

The champions of North Macedonia will compete in the Champions League for the first time in their history when Shkupi face Lincoln Red Imps on Tuesday in the first-round of qualifying.

Although the fixture is regarded as Shkupi's home game, the contest will be played at the National Arena Toshe Proeski rather than the Cair Stadium which is their usual home ground.

We say: Shkupi 1-1 Lincoln Red Imps


While Shkupi are making their Champions League debut, Lincoln Red Imps are featuring in the qualifying rounds of Europe's elite club competition for the seventh time in their history, and we think that the visitors will draw upon that experience to ground out a draw on Tuesday.

Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

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Barney Corkhill
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