When Shkupi face Lincoln Red Imps in the first-round of Champions League qualification on Tuesday, the champions of North Macedonia will compete in the world’s most prestigious club tournament for the first time in their history with kickoff at 9:45 pm.
Shkupi have won the Macedonian First League for the first time in their history, clinching the silverware and qualifying for the Champions League with a 12-point margin over Rabotnicki.
They previously competed in the Europa League, Europa Conference League conference rounds and will appear in Europe’s elite club competition when they make their Champions League debut against Lincoln Red Imps.
The North Macedonian side will be hoping for a better result than their last European tie against Santa Clara, which resulted in a 5-0 aggregate defeat in the second-round of Europa Conference League qualifying.
However, their preparations for the meeting with Lincoln Red Imps has been less than ideal, with their four friendly contests resulting in three defeats and one draw.
Lincoln Red Imps will compete in the Champions League qualifying rounds for the seventh time in their history. Although they have never reached the group stage, they competed in a UEFA club competition group phase for the first time last season. The Gibraltar champions would have gained invaluable experience from last season’s European campaign.
Shkupi vs Lincoln Red Imps Head to Head
Both sides are yet to face against each other and this marks their first encounter. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Fenerbahce 2-2 Shkupi
- Shkupi 0-2 Ballkani
- Shkupi 3-0 Akademija Pandev
- KF Shkendija 0-0 Shkupi
Away
- Lincoln 2-1 Magpies
- Glacis 1-3 Lincoln
- Magpies 2-4 Lincoln
- Lincoln 5-0 College
Shkupi Team News
After Konstantin Cheshmedjiev left for a free transfer, Shkupi will likely start the season playing Faustin Senghor and Gagi Margvelashvili at centre-back. Aleksandar Gjurkovski also left the club, but Shkupi have brought in Angelce Timovski to replace him in the lineup.
Lincoln Red Imps Team News
The Lincoln Red Imps have recently signed two new goalkeepers, Nauzet Garcia and Ivan Villanueva. However, they are unlikely to feature in Tuesday’s contest since Dayle Coeling is set to start in goal for the hosts and will be shielded by Bernardo Lopes and Roy Chipolina.
Prediction and Odds
We think Shkupi will draw on their Champions League debut to earn a point against Lincoln Red Imps.
- Draw
- Double Chance
- Goals Over 2.5
