Álvaro Hernández
Dailysports's expert
One of the opening fixtures of the Champions League first qualifying round will take place on Tuesday in Albania at the Egnatia Arena, where local side Egnatia will host Icelandic club Breidablik. Here’s my bet for this matchup.
See also: KuPS vs Milsami, Champions League qualification. Prediction, H2H and probable lineups
Match preview
Egnatia enter the Champions League as Albanian league champions, with the Rogozhina-based team claiming the national title for the second consecutive year.
In their debut European campaign in 2023/24, Egnatia competed in the Conference League but lost to Ararat-Armenia on penalties. The following season, Egnatia started their journey in the Champions League qualifiers, only to be knocked out by Bosnia’s Borac. That relegated them to the Conference League, where they faced another Icelandic opponent, Vikingur, and once again the Icelanders came out on top.
Breidablik are three-time champions of Iceland. The Icelandic league is currently in full swing, and Breidablik sit third, just three points behind leaders Vikingur. But for now, their focus must shift to the Champions League, where a tough test awaits.
Probable lineups
Egnatia: Daisinani - Sota, Xhemaili, Aliev - Fangaj, Aleksi, Medeiros, Kasa - Ujka, Bakayoko, Lushkja
Breidablik: A. A. Einarsson – Valgeirsson, Margeirsson, Orrason, Yeoman – Jonsson, V. K. Einarsson, Steindorsson – Thorsteinsson, Omarsson, Thomsen
Match facts and head-to-head
These teams have never met before in official competitions
Breidablik are the more experienced side in international matches
Both teams have scored in five of Breidablik’s last seven matches
Prediction
The Icelanders' defense concedes in almost every match, so there’s little doubt that Egnatia, playing in front of their home fans, will find the net at least once. For a safer bet, I recommend backing Egnatia individual total over one goal — odds 1.75
