Tuesday's Champions League predictions including TNS vs. Linfield

Pyunik vs. CFR Cluj (Tuesday, 5.00pm)

Armenian and Romanian champions FC Pyunik and CFR Cluj begin their Champions League campaigns with Tuesday's first-round qualifying first leg at the Republican Stadium after Vazgen Sargsyan.

The hosts won their 15th Armenian top-flight title last season, while Cluj were crowned top dogs in Romania for the fifth season in a row.

We say: FC Pyunik 0-2 CFR Cluj

Cluj have already demonstrated a penchant for keeping clean sheets and marching to victory away from home in their summer friendlies, which will certainly serve them well here.

Pyunik are no pushovers at home, but Petrescu's side have the advantage of greater continental experience and will expect to claim a first-leg advantage before the return leg next week.

Malmo vs. Vikingur Reykjavík (Tuesday, 6.00pm)

Malmo's quest to reach the 2022-23 Champions League group stages begins with the first leg of their qualifying first-round battle with Vikingur Reykjavík on Tuesday evening.

The Swedish champions are well into their domestic flow, while the visitors were forced to navigate their way past FCI Levadia and Inter Club d'Escaldes to make it to the first round.

We say: Malmo 3-1 Vikingur Reykjavík

Vikingur have done all they can by posting victory after victory in the lead-up to this game, but the greater European pedigree of Malmo will surely become apparent on their own turf.

Milojevic's squad has been depleted somewhat by injuries and illness, but the Swedish champions will expect to put one foot firmly in the second round regardless.

Ludogorets vs. Sutjeska Niksic (Tuesday, 6.45pm)

Ludogorets Razgrad will be looking to secure a first-leg advantage when they take on Sutjeska Niksic in the first leg of their Champions League first qualifying round contest on Tuesday night.

The home side, who played in the group stage of the Europa League last term, are the reigning Bulgarian champions, while Sutjeska became champions of Montenegro's top flight for the fifth time last season.

We say: Ludogorets Razgrad 2-1 Sutjeska Niksic

Sutjeska are certainly capable of making this an uncomfortable 90 minutes for Ludogorets, but we are finding it difficult to back anything other than a home victory in the first leg, and the Bulgarian outfit should ultimately have too much quality over the two matches.

KF Ballkani vs. Zalgiris (Tuesday, 7.00pm)

KF Ballkani and FK Zalgiris will meet in the first leg of their Champions League first qualifying round contest on Tuesday evening, with both teams looking to claim an advantage.

The home side are the champions of Kosovo's top flight, while Zalgiris are the Lithuanian champions, lifting the trophy for the ninth time in their history last year.

We say: KF Ballkani 0-2 FK Zalgiris

Ballkani will believe that they need to pick up a strong result in the first leg to stand a chance of progressing to the second qualifying round, but we are finding it very difficult to predict anything other than an away success due to the gap in quality between the two sets of players.

New Saints vs. Linfield (Tuesday, 7.00pm)

The champions of Wales and Northern Ireland clash at the first stage of Champions League qualifying on Tuesday evening, as The New Saints and Linfield meet at Park Hall Stadium.

Both teams will be seeking an advantage ahead of next week's return, after which the winners will advance to a second-stage encounter with either Bodo/Glimt or KI; the losers being consigned to the Europa Conference League.

We say: The New Saints 1-1 Linfield

Neither side is likely to give too much away in the first leg of this tie, so it could be a close-fought affair at Park Hall.

Nonetheless, the visitors possess enough attacking threat to strike at least once - setting themselves up well for the return in Belfast next Wednesday.

Lech Poznan vs. Qarabag FK (Tuesday, 7.00pm)

The long road to the Champions League group stage begins on Tuesday, as Poland's Lech Poznan and Azeri club Qarabag FK meet at Stadion Miejski Poznan for the opening leg of their first qualifying round tie.

Both teams will be seeking an advantage ahead of next week's return, after which the winners will advance to a second-stage encounter with FC Zurich; the losers being consigned to the Europa Conference League.

We say: Lech Poznan 2-1 Qarabag FK

Both sides carry a goal threat, and as domestic champions, are used to taking the initiative. Eagerness to gain a first-leg lead could open up opportunities at either end, but Lech are set to get off to a winning start under their new manager.

Shamrock vs. Hibernians (Tuesday, 7.30pm)

Shamrock Rovers begin their Champions League campaign with a first-round qualifying tie against Maltese Premier League champions Hibernians.

The Irish side will be looking to make the most of home advantage on Tuesday before they head to Malta next week for the return leg.

We say: Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Hibernians

Shamrock Rovers tend to perform well on home turf, and with the hosts over halfway through their domestic campaign, we think that they will be better prepared to claim a first leg win than the Hibernians who have played two friendlies in preparation for Tuesday's contest.

Shkupi vs. Lincoln (Tuesday, 7.45pm)

The champions of North Macedonia will compete in the Champions League for the first time in their history when Shkupi face Lincoln Red Imps on Tuesday in the first-round of qualifying.

Although the fixture is regarded as Shkupi's home game, the contest will be played at the National Arena Toshe Proeski rather than the Cair Stadium which is their usual home ground.

We say: Shkupi 1-1 Lincoln Red Imps

While Shkupi are making their Champions League debut, Lincoln Red Imps are featuring in the qualifying rounds of Europe's elite club competition for the seventh time in their history, and we think that the visitors will draw upon that experience to ground out a draw on Tuesday.