Egnatia welcome Breidablik to Demrozi Stadium for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League qualifier. The Albanians will be keen to overcome their recent home struggles while the visitors will aim for a solid result to take to the second leg.
Egnatia are in the Champions League qualifiers after winning the Albanian Kategoria Superiore last season. They head into this clash off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Farul Constanta in a preseason friendly.
Edlir Tetova’s team may have won the league last season but ended the campaign with a poor record at home. They failed to win eight of the last nine matches in front of their fans, drawing five of the last seven in that run.
Breidablik are the reigning champions of Iceland and earned their place in the Champions League qualifiers by virtue of their title win last season. They reached the second qualifying round during the 2023-24 season and will be hoping for a repeat this time around.
The topflight league is already 14 games in, with Breidablik currently second in the table and on a five-match winning run, claiming three wins in that stretch. Halldor Arnason’s men are also unbeaten in four of their last five away matches, playing out a 2-2 league draw at Afturelding in their previous fixture.
How the bookies view it: Slight edge for Egnatia
Egnatia have the slight edge among the bookies and are priced at 13/10 by BoyleSports to claim the win. A victory for Breidablik is valued at 17/10 while a draw is set at odds of 2/1.
Head to head: No previous meetings
This will be the first ever meeting between Egnatia and Breidablik.
Players to watch: Eyes on Thomsen
Tobias Thomsen is enjoying a fine start to the season and will be the one to watch for Breidablik having scored eight goals so far. Kristofer Kristinsson has also found the net four times this term and both men can combine to produce over 0.5 goals – valued at 4/11 by BoyleSports.
Regi Luskja scored 16 goals for Egnatia last season and will hope to carry that form into this campaign. With Soumaila Bakayoko also featuring in attack, the hosts could produce over 0.5 goals – priced at 3/10.
Probable line-ups:
Egnatia have no injury worries and Bakayoko could be set to lead the line, with Luskja providing support. Zamig Aliyev and Abdurraman Fangaj are expected to feature in defence.
Breidablik also have a fully fit squad ahead of Tuesday’s clash and Thomsen is expected to continue in attack. Kristinn Steindorsson should feature in midfield while Asgeir Orrason is set to hold the fort at the back.
Egnatia: Dajsinani, Sota, Aliyev, Fangaj, Xhemaijli, Meideiros, Aleksi, Zejnullani, Ujka, Luskja, Bakayoko
Breidablik: Einarsson, Valgeirason, Margeirsson, Orrason, Yeoman, Johnson, Steindorsson, Einarsson, Omarsson, Thorsteinsson, Thomsen
Anything else catch the eye?
There have been goals for both teams in five of Breidablik’s last six matches (BTTS YES priced at 4/5 with BoyleSports). The visitors' last two matches have also produced over 2.5 goals – available at 11/10 with BoyleSports.
Breidablik's last two matches have also produced goals in both halves – set at odds of 20/21.
GambleAware