Shkupi vs Lincoln Red Imps Match Preview

North Macedonia's champions Shkupi host Gibraltar's champions Lincoln Red Imps in the first round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers.

The hosts in their maiden participation in the biggest European club competition will not compete at their natural home but at the 'Toše Proeski Arena'. The preparation for this particular game ended without any victory in their four friendlies, having one draw with Fenerbahce and two defeats with a score of 2-0 against the champions of Kosovo and Albania.

On the contrary, the champions of Gibraltar are now considered experienced in European competitions having won seven championships in the last nine years which is an important weapon for them. In addition, many of the visitors' players are key players in their National team and have gained valuable experience after Lincoln's participation in the UEFA Conference League group stage last season. In the only friendly match they played, they drew 2-2 with Kilmarnock. Exactly the same was the result for Lincoln Red Imps in last year's first European match against Fola, Luxembourg champions, away from home.

In conclusion, I consider the guests to be an experienced and solid team that will not surrender without a fight. The odds suggest that the home side's chance of winning is over 66% which for me is too high and I prefer to go against the hosts, staking 2 points on double chance X2 at 2.95 odds.