Preview: Urartu vs. Zrinjski Mostar - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts have managed to reach this stage of the competition for what is the second time, while the visitors have played in seven qualification campaigns previously, but they have never made it past the first round.

Match preview

Urartu secured their spot in the first qualification round by winning the Armenian Premier League title last season, amassing 83 points across 36 games to pip Pyunik to top spot by a total of just three points.

The 2022-23 season is just the second time the Proud Lions have managed to win the league title, and they now embark on their second-ever Champions League campaign, having last competed in the competition in 2014-15.

In their previous Champions League run, the Armenian side exited the competition in the first qualifying round, losing against FC Santa Coloma on away goals, despite winning their home match 3-2.

As such, Urartu will head into Tuesday's game hoping to reach the second qualifying round for the first time, but they have not played in over a month, with their last match being played at the start of June, against Ararat.

Dmitry Gunko's side recorded a 1-1 draw, having already wrapped up the league title before the final game of the season, courtesy of Yevgeniy Tsymbaluk's last-gasp winner away at nearest-rivals Pyunik.

Zrinjski Mostar have reached the first qualifying round for the second season on the spin, having crashed out at this stage of the competition last season, after losing 1-0 to Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol on aggregate.

The Nobles romped home in Bosnia & Herzegovina's top flight last season, collecting 78 points, which was 20 more than second-placed Borac Banja Luka.

Krunoslav Rendulic's side recorded the best defensive and attacking record in the division, averaging two goals per game, and they have continued to look very impressive in their recent friendly matches.

Zrinjski Mostar have won three of the four friendlies they have contested since their league season wrapped up in May, scoring nine goals in the process, most recently recording a 3-1 win at home against Posusje.

Team News

Urartu's goals were spread fairly evenly through their squad last season, with none of their players finishing in the top five of the goal-scoring charts, but Dmytro Khlyobas was their main attacking threat, netting nine league goals.

However, the Ukrainian striker has now moved to Kazakhstani side Kyzylzhar, so Leon Sabua is likely to be tasked with leading the line for Gunko's side.

Maksim Mayrovich could accompany his Russian compatriot in attack, having scored against Ararat in Urartu's final game of the league season.

As for Zrinjski Mostar, Nemanja Bilbija is one of the players to look out for, with the 32-year-old recording a remarkable 76 league goals in 93 appearances during his second spell with the club, and he is set to start at striker.

New signing Zvonimir Kozulj is another one to watch, with the Bosnian attacking midfielder making an instant impact in pre-season, scoring the third goal in the 3-0 rout against NK Lokomotiva at the end of June.

Urartu possible starting lineup:

Melikhov; Antwi, Margaryan, Piloyan, Tsymbalyuk, Zotko; Marcos, Iwu, Khurtsidze; Mayrovich, Sabua

Zrinjski Mostar possible starting lineup:

Novakovic; Magdic, Ismajlgeci, Barisic, Jakovljevic; Ivancic, Jukic, Kozulj; Stanic, Bilbija, Malekinusic

We say: Urartu 0-1 Zrinjski Mostar

Zrinjski Mostar have more experience in the competition, pushing Sheriff Tiraspol all the way last season, while they were also much more dominant than their opponents in their domestic league.

As such, we expect the Bosnian side to emerge as narrow victors, taking a slender advantage into the second leg in a week's time.

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