On Tuesday evening, Kosovo’s KF Ballkani and Lithuania’s FK Zalgiris will meet in the first leg of their Champions League first qualifying round contest. Both teams will be looking to claim an advantage with kickoff at 9 pm.
Ballkani are the current holders of the Football Superleague of Kosovo, having comfortably finished top of their domestic table last term, picking up 76 points from their 36 matches.
That title success saw them qualify for the Champions League first qualifying round for the first time, and they now face a two-legged affair with Zalgiris in a bid to qualify for the next round of the competition.
Ballkani have only played one friendly match this summer, recording a 2-0 victory over Shkupi in the middle of June, and they will be coming up against a team that are already deep into their domestic season, so it could be argued that the difference in fitness between the two teams will be sizeable.
Ilir Daja’s side will have to draw on their impressive 2021-22 league campaign if they are to stand a chance of progressing any further in the Champions League, but it would be some achievement if they managed to navigate their way past nine-time Lithuanian champions Zalgiris.
Following a 2-1 victory over Hegelmann Litauen in the Europa League on Friday, the visitors will enter this match full of confidence.
Ballkani vs Zalgiris Head to Head
Both sides ae yet to face against each other and this marks their first encounter. Here is a look at their previous encounter:
Home
- Ballkani 0-1 FC Drita
- Akademija 1-6 Ballkani
- KF Shkupi 0-2 Ballkani
- Ballkani 2-0 Gjilani
Away
- Zalgiris 2-1 Kaunas
- FK Marijampole 0-5 Zalgiris
- Zalgiris 2-1 Telsiai
- FK Panevezys 0-2 Zalgiris
Ballkani Team News
Ballkani is expected to line up in a 4-4-2 formation on Tuesday evening, with Albion Rrahmani and Nazmi Gripshi as the home side’s main attacking threats. Head coach Daja does have plenty of options in the final third of the field, though, with Lucas, Ermal Krasniqi and Albin Berisha also pushing for starting roles.
Zalgiris Team News
Zalgiris head coach Viktoras Cheburin will need to assess the fitness of his players following their league victory on July 1, but many players will also be available for selection. Renan Oliveira was on the scoresheet on Friday before being replaced, but it was a tactical change and he should be available in the final third of the field.
Prediction and Odds
Ballkani should pick up a good result in the first leg, but given the difference in quality between the two teams, we’re expecting an away victory.
- Away Win
- Goals Under 3.5
- No Score: Home
