Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Preview: KF Tirana vs. F91 Dudelange - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 10 July 2022, 16:03
F91 Dudelange will take a slender advantage into the second leg of their first qualifying round Champions League contest with KF Tirana on Tuesday night.

The Luxembourg National Division champions recorded a 1-0 victory when the two teams locked horns in the first leg courtesy of a second-half header from Mohcine Hassan.

Match preview

Tirana have it all to do on Tuesday following their defeat in the first leg, but they have previous when it comes to this competition, famously reaching the last-16 stage of the European Cup on three occasions in the 1980s.

The 26-time Albanian champions lost to Young Boys in the Europa League playoffs in 2020-21, while they were beaten by Red Star Belgrade in the second qualifying round for the Champions League in the same season.

Tirana are comfortably the most successful Albanian side in terms of top-flight league titles, but they did not win the trophy for 10 years before triumphing in 2019-20 and then again in 2021-22.

Orges Shehi's side would take on either FC Pyunik or CFR Cluj in the second qualifying round if they managed to turn the tie around against Dudelange on Tuesday night.

Tirana were victorious in their last participation in the first qualifying round of the Champions League, meanwhile, beating Dinamo Tbilisi 2-0 on aggregate in 2020-21.

Dudelange advanced to the first qualifying round of this season's Champions League by finishing top of the Luxembourg National Division last season, collecting 67 points from 30 matches.

The Luxembourg outfit competed in the group stage of the Europa League in both 2018-19 and 2019-20, finishing fourth in their section on both occasions, but before the first leg of this contest, they had not played a Champions League fixture since losing to Valletta in the first qualifying round in 2019.

Carlos Fangueiro's side failed to make an impression in Europe last season, though, as they lost to Bohemians 4-0 on aggregate in the second qualifying round for the Europa Conference League.

Dudelange, who are due to begin their league campaign on August 6, are 16-time Luxembourg National Division winners, so they are certainly a team used to winning football matches.

Fangueiro's side have also placed themselves in a strong position to reach the next round of this competition courtesy of their one-goal success in the first leg at Stade Los Nosbaum.

KF Tirana Champions League form:

KF Tirana form (all competitions):

F91 Dudelange Champions League form:

F91 Dudelange form (all competitions):

Team News

Tirana have not reported any injury concerns from the first leg, but the Albanian side will be without the services of Vessel Limaj through suspension due to his red card last time out.

Limaj's spot in midfield could be taken by Klevi Qefalija, but the team might otherwise be unchanged from the one that took to the field for the opening match.

A 4-3-3 formation is expected to see Devid feature at the tip of the attack, with the 26-year-old likely to be supported by Taulant Seferi and Redon Xhixha.

As for Dudelange, Mehdi Kirch will miss out due to his red card in the first leg, which could open the door for Sylvio Ouassiero to come into the side.

Hassan, who scored the only goal of the first leg, is again expected to feature in a front two with Samir Hadji despite competition from Chris Stumpf and Francisco Ninte Junior in the attacking areas.

KF Tirana possible starting lineup:

Bekaj; Tosevski, Najdovski, Behiratche, Ismajlgeci; Aleksi, Totre, Qefalija; Seferi, David, Xhixha

F91 Dudelange possible starting lineup:

Fox; Da Costa, Diouf, Skenderovic; Gashi, Bojic, Sinani, Morren, Ouassiero; Hassan, Hadji

We say: KF Tirana 1-1 F91 Dudelange

Dudelange already have a one-goal advantage from the first leg, and we believe that could be crucial when it comes to the final result here. We are backing a 1-1 draw on Tuesday evening, which would be enough for Dudelange to advance to the next round courtesy of a 2-1 aggregate success.

Previews by email

Top News

16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly prepared to offer two players in a bid to sign Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Levi Colwill is reportedly prepared to consider a potential move to Bayern Munich. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly prepared to offer Pep Guardiola a pay rise to extend his contract beyond the end of next season. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Denmark began their Euro 2024 campaign with a frustrating result as Erik Janza netted a 77th-minute equaliser to rescue a point for Slovenia in Stuttgart. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Belgium will be heading into Monday's Euro 2024 fixture against Slovakia having put together a 17-match streak. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Cristiano Ronaldo has said that the current Portugal "generation" deserve to win a European Championship. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Raphael Varane and Casemiro were allegedly two Manchester United players to question the approach of head coach Erik ten Hag over the last two seasons at Old Trafford. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly interested in a reunion with Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Valencia have allegedly launched a £25m offer for Mason Greenwood, with the Manchester United forward keen to make a permanent move to Spain during this summer's transfer window. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Jack Grealish is reportedly open to discussing a move away from Manchester City during this summer's transfer window after struggling for form during the 2023-24 campaign. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set to loan one of their teenage starlets out to Belgium for the 2024-25 season. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wout Weghorst scores a late decisive goal for Netherlands at a major tournament yet again as Oranje record a 2-1 win over Poland at Euro 2024. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Czech Republic suffered a huge blow ahead of Euro 2024 when key midfielder Michal Sadilek was forced to withdraw from the squad due to an injury which he suffered while riding a bike. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Cristiano Ronaldo is set to lead the Portugal line in the country's Euro 2024 opener against Czech Republic, with the forward remaining a vital player for his country at the age of 39. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk One of the favourites for this summer's European Championship will take to the field on Tuesday evening, with Portugal opening their Euro 2024 campaign against the Czech Republic at Leipzig Stadium. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly pushing to hijack Real Madrid's proposed move for River Plate starlet Franco Mastantuono. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly received a significant boost in their pursuit of Crystal Palace's Michael Olise, as the Eagles have begun negotiations to sign a possible successor. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk French giants Lille have reportedly rejected an offer from an unnamed Premier League club for the services of 18-year-old defender Leny Yoro. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will headline the Georgia side in the country's first-ever match in the finals of a major tournament on Tuesday evening. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Turkey head coach Vincenzo Montella is expected to name Juventus' 19-year-old attacker Kenan Yildiz in his starting XI for Tuesday's Euro 2024 opener against Georgia. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Group F at Euro 2024 will get underway on Tuesday evening in Dortmund, with Turkey and Georgia locking horns for what is likely to be a very important match in the section. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk AC Milan are reportedly considering a move for Chelsea striker Armando Broja during this summer's transfer window. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England captain Harry Kane believes that the Three Lions' squad for Euro 2024 may be the "best" that his nation have ever had. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Juventus have reportedly moved into pole position to sign Manchester United attacker Jadon Sancho, with the Old Lady cooling their interest in his teammate Mason Greenwood. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United will reportedly have to come up with an offer of €50m (£42m) if they wish to sign Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt during this summer's transfer window. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk France have received another timely injury boost before the start of their Euro 2024 campaign, as one of their fundamental cogs has returned to full training following injury. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly held talks with the representatives of Austrian youngster Oghenetejiri Adejenughure to discuss a move to Old Trafford this summer. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich marksman Harry Kane is poised to break a handful of England records when the Three Lions tackle Serbia in Sunday's Euro 2024 Group C opener at the Veltins-Arena. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Even before its first weekend of action is complete, the 17th European Championship has delivered a dizzying array of new bests and curious firsts. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Croatia and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has drawn level with Cristiano Ronaldo on a record-breaking number of Euros appearances, but he may only stand alongside his Portuguese foe for a matter of days.