Lincoln Red Imps Vs FK Shkupi
Lincoln Red Imps Vs FK Shkupi Tuesday, 12 July 2022 – 17:00 (BST)
UEFA Champions League
Pick: Over 2.5 Goals
Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Boylesports
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 10 July 2022)
Preview: Victoria Stadium hosts this UEFA Champions League first qualifying round second-leg contest between an FK Shkupi leading 3-0 from the first leg and Lincoln Red Imps, the latter counting on a decent scoring record in domestic home fixtures to suggest a comeback could still be on the cards.
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Table of Contents
Lincoln Red Imps – Risks must be taken in Gibraltar?
It is an uphill battle from here following a 3-0 first-leg defeat. In their entire history, Lincoln Red Imps would host 18 UEFA club competition matches, with their first ending 1-1 with HB Torshavn of the Faroe Islands in 2014. Their record in those contests shows only five victories – the most famous of which a 1-0 scoreline versus Celtic – five draws and eight losses, with no wins in the most recent six (D1 L5).
Only one of those victories, the 5-0 trouncing of Luxembourg’s Fola Esch was by a margin of three clear goals. So the likelihood of a comeback materialising inside Victoria Stadium are slim then, even for a side boasting eight wins from the last nine competitive home games. None of those were against opponents outside of Gibraltar, though, dominating the domestic scene in 2021-22 by winning the league and cup.
Key Stat: Needing to score three to stand any hope of turning this tie around. Lincoln Red Imps will at least take inspiration from their record domestically, having scored 3+ on 13 occasions (in 20 games) during last season’s successful Gibraltar National League campaign.
FK Shkupi – Macedonians targeting maiden triumph away in Europe?
National champions of North Macedonia for the first time in their still fairly brief 10-year history, FK Shkupi did themselves and their country proud a week ago. Making a mockery of playing in their first UEFA Champions League contest, the Macedonians would surge into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 29 minutes. An own goal shortly past the hour mark means they take a commanding 3-0 advantage to Gibraltar.
That first-leg performance belied a team with limited experience of playing on the European scene. In what was the club’s tenth UEFA fixture, FK Shkupi would record only a second ever victory at this level (D3 L5). They are still to taste success away from home (D2 L3), though did come close on two occasions – squandering 3-1 and 1-0 leads to draw 3-3 and 1-1 to Armenia’s Pyunik and Kosovo’s Llapi, respectively.
Key Stat: On their way to winning North Macedonia’s First League in 2021-22, FK Shkupi would register at least four more points on their travels (29 in 16 games – W8 D5 L3) than any of their rivals.
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Lincoln Red Imps Vs FK Shkupi Betting Advice
After losing the first-leg 3-0 away from home, there isn’t anything left for Lincoln Red Imps to do but throw caution to the wind when the teams reconvene inside Victoria Stadium. The Imps retain an excellent record at this venue, winning eight of the last nine competitive home games – four by margin of at least three goals. However, replicating those efforts against stronger opposition is easier said than done.
Lincoln Red Imps vs FK Shkupi – Key Facts:
- It is the club representing North Macedonia in this season’s UEFA Champions League, FK Shkupi, who bring a 3-0 lead into the second-leg against Gibraltar’s Lincoln Red Imps.
- There have been two or more goals in all ten previous Lincoln Red Imps European home games (six of these saw Over 2.5 Goals) and all of the last five away European matches involving FK Shkupi (two seeing Over 2.5 Goals).
- FK Shkupi are yet to win an away fixture in Europe, but did score in three of five said games (D2 L3). Lincoln Red Imps would score in five of the past seven home European games (W1 D1 L5).
FK Shkupi are that stronger opponent and the Macedonian champions showed their teeth out in Skopje, unleashing more than twice as many efforts on goal (17 to 8) despite both teams seeing an equal share of possession.
There were Over 1.5 Goals in all ten previous Lincoln Red Imps home European games, and all five FK Shkupi away games on the continent. Three or more goals looks a reasonable shout then considering the home side must get on the front foot in search of some goals.
Best Betting Odds – Lincoln Red Imps Vs FK Shkupi
Lincoln Red Imps – 23/10 (WilliamHill)
Draw – 9/4 (Boylesports)
FK Shkupi – 23/20 (Coral)
