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Lincoln Red Imps begin another European adventure on Tuesday when they welcome Andorran champions Inter d'Escaldes to Gibraltar in the opening leg of their UEFA Champions League first qualifying round tie.
The Gibraltarian champions will be aiming to build a first-leg advantage before next week's return fixture, while Inter are hoping to finally break their long-standing barrier of progressing beyond the opening round of Champions League qualifying.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Lincoln Red Imps vs Inter Club d’Escaldes key stats
- Lincoln Red Imps have won the Gibraltar Football League title in each of the last six seasons.
- Lincoln Red Imps won at home in their Champions League first qualifying round tie last season
- Inter d'Escaldes have never progressed beyond the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.
- Inter lost by a single goal on aggregate to FCSB in last season's Champions League qualifiers despite winning the second leg.
Lincoln Red Imps vs Inter Club d'Escaldes preview: The Red Imps target another strong start
Lincoln Red Imps vs Inter Club d'Escaldes — Tale of the Tape
| Lincoln Red Imps | vs | Inter Club d'Escaldes |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (Gibraltar Football League) | Position | 1st (Primera Divisio) |
| 72 | Points | 54 |
| 89 | Goals For | 47 |
| 17 | Goals Against | 24 |
| 13 | Clean Sheets | 9 |
| 1st | 1st/ Away Rank | 3rd |
Lincoln Red Imps enter the new campaign with confidence after securing another domestic double, successfully defending their Gibraltar Football League crown before finishing the season with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Mons Calpe in the Rock Cup final.
European competition has become familiar territory for the club, who continue to set the benchmark for Gibraltarian football on the continental stage.
Last season they advanced through the opening Champions League qualifying round before falling to Red Star Belgrade, and they later progressed to the Europa League play-off before eventually reaching the UEFA Conference League league phase for a second time.
Their growing reputation was strengthened further by becoming the first Gibraltarian club to win a European league-phase fixture following a memorable home victory against Lech Poznan.
Tuesday's encounter marks the beginning of a new era under head coach Juanma Pavon, who replaced Juanjo Bezares after the latter moved into a technical secretary role, and although this will be Pavon's first competitive match in charge, he inherits a squad filled with experienced European performers capable of handling the occasion.
Inter d'Escaldes also arrive as reigning domestic champions after lifting a second consecutive Andorran Primera Divisio title and the fifth league championship in the club's history.
However, European competition has often proved frustrating for the Andorran side who are set for their fifth appearance in Champions League qualifying, yet they have never managed to advance beyond the opening round.
They came remarkably close last season, looking to recover from a two-goal first-leg deficit, they only managed to beat Romanian giants FCSB 2-1 at home, ultimately falling just short on aggregate.
Felip Ortiz remains in charge after guiding the club throughout last season, while several summer additions have strengthened the squad ahead of another attempt to make history.
Nevertheless, Inter face an opponent with considerably greater European pedigree and know that avoiding defeat in Gibraltar would represent an excellent outcome before the return leg.
Lincoln Red Imps vs Inter Club d’Escaldes form guide & betting tips
| Lincoln Red Imps | vs | Inter d'Escaldes |
|---|---|---|
W
W
D
W
W
|
Form |
W
W
L
W
L
|
| 10 | Goals For | 14 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 8 |
N/A |
UEFA Champions League | N/A |
Whispers predicts: Lincoln Red Imps 1-0 Inter Club d’Escaldes
Lincoln Red Imps are available at around 3/2 (2.50) to win, and their extensive European experience makes them the stronger option to take a narrow first-leg advantage.
Inter possess enough quality to keep the contest competitive, but the hosts' superior experience in European qualifying rounds should prove decisive in what is expected to be a tight and tactical first leg.
Both clubs understand the importance of avoiding mistakes in the opening leg, and a cautious contest with limited goals appears the most likely outcome, making Under 2.5 goals at 8/11 (1.73) a good pick to look at.
> Match result – Lincoln Red Imps to win at 3/2 (2.50)| Likelihood: Lilely
> Under 2.5 goals at 13/25 (1.52) | Likelihood: Possible
> Both teams to score – No at 3/4 (1.75) | Likelihood: Probable
> Correct score – Lincoln Red Imps 1-0 Inter d'Escaldes at 569/100 (6.69) | Likelihood: Outsider