

On July 8, 2025, the first qualifying round of the 2025/2026 Champions League will see New Saints take on Shkëndija. Let’s break down the best bet for goals in this European showdown.
New Saints
New Saints are the flagship of Welsh football and the country’s perennial representative in European competitions. The team has now clinched the Welsh title for the fourth consecutive season and also captured the national cup last campaign. Thanks to this domestic dominance, the club is a regular fixture in Champions League qualifiers.
Although their preseason friendlies were unconvincing—two draws and a loss—New Saints boast tremendous international experience by Welsh standards. Last season, they reached the League stage in the new Conference League format, playing six matches and earning three points, including a memorable 2-0 win over Kazakhstan’s Astana—a major achievement for a Welsh club.
As for their head-to-head history with Shkëndija, these sides met in the first qualifying round of the Champions League back in 2018. The Macedonian club won 5-0 at home, while New Saints responded with a 4-0 victory in the return leg but failed to advance. That experience adds extra motivation for New Saints in this upcoming rematch.
Shkëndija
Shkëndija from Tetovo are one of North Macedonia’s top clubs, having ended a three-year title drought by winning the domestic league last season—their first since 2021. However, the golden double slipped away as they fell to Struga in the national cup semifinals. Interestingly, Struga had won the previous two league titles, and two years ago edged out Shkëndija on head-to-head record after finishing level on points.
On the continental stage, Shkëndija are regulars in the European qualifiers. In the 2020/21 season, again as national champions, they started out in the Champions League but crashed out in the first round to Slovenian side Mura—0-1 and 0-5. Last year, the Macedonians played in the Conference League qualifiers, only to exit at the first hurdle with losses of 0-2 and 1-2 against Armenian side Noah.
So, Shkëndija enter this new European campaign eager to redeem themselves for recent disappointments and re-establish their reputation as a tough qualifier contender.
Key facts and head-to-head
- New Saints have won 18 of their last 20 matches.
- New Saints are on an 11-match home winning streak.
- Both teams have scored in 6 of New Saints’ last 7 matches.
- Shkëndija have won 3 of their last 4 games.
Probable lineups
- New Saints: Roberts, Bodenham, Brobbel, Wilson, D. Williams, J. Williams, McGeough, Pask, Redmond, Smith, Holden.
- Shkëndija: Gaye, Krasniqi, Tamba, Ademi, Webster, Latifi, Nuhiji, Trumci, Fetai, Cake, Caka.
New Saints vs Shkëndija match prediction
Both New Saints and Shkëndija have European pedigree and are well aware of the stakes at this early stage. Given the importance of the first leg, both sides are likely to play it safe and avoid unnecessary risks. The Welsh champions are strong at home, but after a shaky preseason, will look to stay solid at the back. Meanwhile, Shkëndija, with fresher match practice and a hunger to make amends for recent European failures, won’t be overly adventurous from the start either. All signs point to a tight, low-scoring affair where the tie will likely be decided in the return leg. My pick for this one: under 2.5 total goals at odds of 1.85.