Luis Torres
Dailysports's expert
On July 8, 2025, the opening qualifying round of the 2025/2026 Champions League will see Vikingur face off against Lincoln Red Imps. Let’s break down the prospects and pick a winner for this intriguing clash.
Vikingur
Vikingur, hailing from the Faroe Islands, claimed their domestic championship in 2024, their first league title since 2017, ending a long drought and marking a triumphant return to the pinnacle of Faroese football. This was the club’s third national title, a significant milestone that further solidified their status on the home front.
However, this season has been less impressive for Vikingur compared to their championship run. The team sits fourth in the table, trailing leaders Klaksvik by nearly 20 points. Klaksvik also handed Vikingur their most recent defeat, winning 1-0 on Vikingur’s home turf and snapping their four-match unbeaten streak. Still, Vikingur remains in the hunt for silverware, having already secured a spot in the Faroe Islands Cup final, where they’ll once again face Klaksvik this autumn.
On the continental stage, Vikingur have some experience but have yet to achieve a major breakthrough. After their 2017 championship, they entered Champions League qualification but fell to Finnish side HJK. Their Europa League campaigns have also ended early, never progressing past the initial rounds.
- See also: Egnatia vs Breidablik, Champions League: Prediction, H2H and probable lineups — July 8, 2025
Lincoln Red Imps
Lincoln Red Imps are the most decorated club in Gibraltar and the undisputed powerhouse of local football. Their trophy cabinet boasts 23 league titles, including a remarkable streak of 14 consecutive championships from 2003 to 2016—a record for European leagues. The club’s dominance shows no sign of waning, with Lincoln claiming the Gibraltar title every year for the past seven seasons.
As the Champions League qualifiers kick off, the Gibraltar league is on its summer break, much like most European competitions. This could affect Lincoln’s match sharpness, especially compared to Vikingur, who are in the thick of their domestic campaign. Nevertheless, Lincoln’s extensive experience in European qualifiers helps balance the scales.
Every year, Lincoln represent Gibraltar in Champions League or Conference League qualifiers, typically starting in the early rounds and rarely making deep runs. Their greatest achievement was reaching the group stage of the Conference League in the 2021/22 season—a historic feat for both the club and Gibraltar football.
This will be the first-ever meeting between Vikingur and Lincoln Red Imps, setting the stage for a new European rivalry.
Key facts and head-to-head
- Vikingur have won 6 of their last 8 home matches.
- Vikingur are unbeaten in 4 of their last 5 games.
- Lincoln Red Imps are on a 7-match winning streak.
- The teams have never faced each other before.
Probable lineups
- Vikingur: Reynatreth, Bardarson, Jonhardsson, Kallsberg, Olsen, Svensson, Atlason, Vatngamar, Gregersen, Nielsen, Radosavljevic.
- Lincoln Red Imps: Nauset Santana, Nano, Munoz, Torilla, Ayu, Britto, Lopes, Joe, Gomez, Garcia, De Barr.
Prediction for Vikingur vs Lincoln Red Imps
Given the current circumstances, Vikingur look like the favorites heading into this match. They’re in mid-season form on the Faroe Islands and have shown consistency, especially at home. In contrast, Lincoln Red Imps haven’t played an official match since early May, which could affect their physical and tactical sharpness. Factoring in home advantage and match fitness, Vikingur appear to have the upper hand—at least for this first leg—with a strong chance of a positive result. My pick for this match is a Vikingur win at odds of 1.74.
