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Lincoln Red Imps return to European action on Thursday when they host Omonia Nicosia in the first leg of their Europa League qualifying playoff tie at Europa Sports Park.
The Gibraltar champions earned another opportunity in Europe after their Champions League qualifying campaign ended with defeat to Mjallby AIF.
Omonia also dropped into the Europa League following their second qualifying-round exit at the hands of Kairat, with both sides now bidding to keep their continental hopes alive.
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 Omonia Nicosia key stats
- Both teams have been knocked out of Champions League qualifiers.
- The Red Imps are without a win in their last three matches.
- Eight of Omonia's last eight games have produced Under 4.5 cards.
Lincoln Red Imps vs Omonia Nicosia preview: Home side to take slender lead?
Lincoln Red Imps vs Omonia Nicosia — Tale of the Tape
| Lincoln Red Imps | vs | Omonia Nicosia |
|---|---|---|
| NA | Position | NA |
| NA | Points | NA |
| NA | Goals For | NA |
| NA | Goals Against | NA |
| NA | Clean Sheets | NA |
| NA | Home / Away Rank | NA |
The reigning Gibraltar champions have once again shown they can compete on the European stage after another dominant domestic campaign earned them a place in the Champions League qualifiers.
Lincoln Red Imps made a strong start to their continental journey by overcoming Inter Club d'Escaldes 4-2 on aggregate, but they were unable to build on that success against Swedish side Mjallby AIF in the next round.
Nine of Lincoln's last 10 matches have produced Under 4.5 cards.
A heavy 3-0 defeat away from home in the first leg left the Gibraltarians with too much to do, and a goalless draw in the return fixture confirmed their exit from the Champions League.
Juan Manuel Pavon's men will now turn their attention to the Europa League, where they can take confidence from an impressive home record, having avoided defeat in each of their last 10 matches in front of their own supporters.
Omonia head into this tie as the defending Cypriot champions after enjoying a dominant league campaign, finishing comfortably clear of the chasing pack to reclaim the domestic crown.
Their title triumph secured a long-awaited return to the Champions League, but the European journey proved short-lived as they fell at the second qualifying hurdle against Kazakhstan's Kairat.
The Nicosia outfit appeared to be in control after taking a narrow first-leg advantage into the return fixture, only for Kairat to respond in front of their home supporters and send the tie into extra time.
Each of Omonia's last eight matches has produced Under 10.5 corners.
Neither side could find a winner in the additional 30 minutes, and Omonia eventually bowed out in a dramatic penalty shootout, leaving them with a second chance to continue their European campaign in the Europa League.
Team news could play a significant role, with Omonia set to be without Andronikos Kakoullis and Senou Coulibaly, both of whom are suspended after receiving red cards in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Kairat.
Lincoln Red Imps vs Omonia Nicosia form guide & betting tips
| Lincoln Red Imps | vs | Omonia Nicosia |
|---|---|---|
WDLD |
Form | WL |
| 4 | Goals For | 6 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 7 |
NA |
Europa League Qualification | NA |
Whispers predicts: Lincoln Red Imps 1-0 Omonia Nicosia
Lincoln Red Imps will be aiming to continue their European campaign after dropping into the Europa League from the Champions League qualifiers.
The hosts are priced at 4/1 (5.0) to win the first leg, while Omonia are favourites at 8/15 (1.53) to take an advantage back to Cyprus.
The Red Imps have a strong home record, but they have managed just one goal across their last three matches, while Omonia have also scored only once in normal time over the same period. As a result, Under 2.5 goals at 6/5 (2.20) looks an attractive betting option.
> Lincoln Red Imps win at 4/1 (5.0) | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 2.5 goals at 6/5 (2.2) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – No at 11/10 (2.1) | Likelihood: Probable