Preview: Riga FC vs Ararat-Armenia - prediction, team news, lineups

Riga FC will welcome Ararat-Armenia to Skonto Stadium on Tuesday, needing to overturn a two-goal deficit in the second leg of their Champions League first round qualifier.

The Latvian champions are facing an uphill battle to progress against the Armenian title holders, but they come into this clash in strong form after winning three of their last four games.

Match preview

Adrian Gula's Riga are a regular sight in the qualifying rounds of UEFA competitions, but the club have not featured in the qualifiers for the Champions League since 2021-22, when they were beaten 2-0 by Maccabi Tel Aviv.

In 2025-26, the Latvians came close to reaching the league phase of the Conference League, only to fall short in a 2-1 aggregate defeat against Sparta Prague in the final playoff.

That defeat will be at the forefront of Gula's mind, given that his team were downed 2-0 in the away leg and were unable to rescue the tie despite winning 1-0 at Skonto Stadium in the return fixture.

The same situation has played out so far this time around, with Riga finding themselves two goals behind from the first leg and needing a minor miracle to avoid being knocked out of the Champions League process.

To make matters worse, goalkeeper Frenks Davids Orols was shown a straight red card for a handball with less than 20 minutes to play in the second half of last week's clash, and will not be available on Tuesday as a result.

That being said, fans of the hosts will take heart from the fact their team are unbeaten at home in 2026, and considering the deficit, seeing Gula's men win three of their last five at Skonto Stadium by a margin of at least three goals will give supporters a sense of cautious optimism.

Meanwhile, Tulipa's Ararat-Armenia are in control after winning 2-0 in the first leg, but it remains to be seen whether they can hold out on the road.

The Armenian side have never reached the second round of the Champions League qualifiers, narrowly losing 1-0 to Omonia Nicosia in extra time during their most recent attempt back in 2020-21.

However, goals from Hugo Oliveira and Franca Carlos have put Tulipa's men just ninety minutes away from a historic first in this tie, and having lost just one of their last 11 outings, the team will be confident of progressing.

Ararat-Armenia will also feel that they are more than capable of defending their lead, considering that they have conceded more than two goals in a single game on just one occasion since August 2025's Conference League qualifying defeat against Sparta Prague.

Adding to that hope is the fact that the visitors have won five of their six most recent clashes away from home, drawing just once during that stretch - 0-0 against Noah in April.

Riga FC Champions League form:

Riga FC form (all competitions):

Ararat-Armenia Champions League form:

Ararat-Armenia friendlies form:

Team News

Riga are missing goalkeeper Frenks Orols after he was sent off in the first leg, so expect to see Krisjanis Zviedris line up between the sticks on Tuesday.

The shot-stopper will be shielded by Karl Wassom and Baba Musah at the heart of Tulipa's defence, just behind a midfield three of Ahmed Ankrah, Raivis Jurkovskis and Orlando Galo.

Striker Mohamed Badamosi should lead the line once again, aided in attack by Salah Oulad M'Hand and Raki Aouani.

As for Ararat-Armenia, they could start Bruno Wilson Valdez at centre-back alongside Junior Julio on Tuesday, after he came on for Alexandros Malis just before half time in the first leg.

Kamo Hovhannisyan and Edgar Grigoryan are set to flank the duo from full-back, providing attacking support for wingers Artur Serobyan and Zhirayr Shaghoyan.

Riga FC possible starting lineup:

Zviedris; Eduardo, Wassom, Musah, Salazar; Jurkovskis, Ankrah, Galo; M'Hand, Aouani; Badamosi

Ararat-Armenia possible starting lineup:

Bravim; Hovhannisyan, Julio, Valdez, Grigoryan; Oliveira, Alwyn, Muradyan; Serobyan, Lima, Shaghoyan

We say: Riga FC 1-1 Ararat-Armenia (1-3 Agg.)

Riga endured a similar situation in 2025-26, and were unable to overcome a two-goal deficit in their playoff second leg last term.

That defeat will be weighing on the team, but they should be competitive and deliver a spirited performance, so do not expect to see a simple win for Ararat-Armenia.

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