Gibraltar’s Lincoln Red Imps are set to host Azerbaijan’s Qarabag FK in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie on Tuesday. The match at Victoria Stadium presents a significant challenge for the Gibraltarian champions as they aim to progress further in Europe’s elite competition.
Team News and Projected Lineups
Lincoln Red Imps manager Javier Munoz Arevalo will have forward Kike Gomez available after serving a suspension. However, defender Dan Bent is ruled out due to a red card in the previous round. The hosts are likely to field a 4-3-3 formation:
Predicted Lincoln Lineup: Morales, Joe, Nano, Casciaro, Gomez, Britto, Santana, Lopes, Sergeant, De Barr, Ayew
Qarabag, under the guidance of long-serving coach Gurban Gurbanov, come into the match with a full-strength squad. The Azerbaijani side is expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 system:
Predicted Qarabag FK Lineup: Romao, Andrade, Bayramov, Benzia, Vieira, Vesovic, Jankovic, Zoubir, Medina, Mustafazada, Buntic
Recent Form and Domestic Success
Lincoln Red Imps dominated the Gibraltar National League last season, securing their fourth consecutive title. They finished top of both the regular season and championship playoff group, boasting the best offensive and defensive records in the division. In European competition, Lincoln narrowly overcame Maltese side Hamrun Spartans on penalties in the first qualifying round.
Qarabag have been equally dominant domestically, clinching their 10th Azerbaijan Premier League title in 11 years last season. The “Horsemen” scored an impressive 97 goals in 36 league matches while conceding just 37. Their European pedigree is also noteworthy, having reached the Europa League round of 16 last season before a heartbreaking stoppage-time defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.
Head-to-Head and European Experience
This will be the first-ever meeting between Lincoln Red Imps and Qarabag. The Gibraltarian side’s only previous group stage appearance in UEFA competition came in the 2021-22 Europa Conference League. Qarabag, on the other hand, have regularly featured in European group stages and will be eager to return to the Champions League proper for the first time since 2017-18.
Key Players to Watch
For Lincoln, much will depend on the attacking trio of Kike Gomez, Liam Walker, and Kyle Casciaro. Their experience and goal-scoring prowess will be crucial in breaking down Qarabag’s defense.
Qarabag’s danger man is likely to be French-Moroccan midfielder Abdellah Zoubir, who netted a hat-trick in a recent friendly. Keep an eye on forwards Yassine Benzia and Leandro Andrade as well, both of whom possess the quality to unlock tight defenses.
Match Prediction
While Lincoln Red Imps have shown they can compete on the European stage, Qarabag’s superior experience and quality make them strong favorites. The Azerbaijani side’s attacking firepower could prove too much for Lincoln’s defense. A 3-1 victory for Qarabag seems a reasonable prediction, though Lincoln will hope home advantage can help them spring a surprise.
Where to Watch
The match kicks off at 5:00 PM local time (GMT+2) on Tuesday, July 23rd. While no major international broadcasters have confirmed coverage, local Gibraltar and Azerbaijani television are likely to show the game. Fans should check their regional UEFA rights holders for potential streaming options.
This Champions League qualifier presents an intriguing clash of styles and ambitions. Can Lincoln Red Imps produce a shock result, or will Qarabag’s European pedigree shine through? Football fans across the continent will be eager to find out.
Also Read:
