Albanian teams have generally struggled in the Champions League with none of them reaching the group stage, but 2022-23 domestic champions Partizani will be hoping to make an early impact in this season's competition when they host Belarus champions BATE Borisov in a first qualifying round, first leg clash in Tirana.
Fifteen Champions League first qualifying round ties commence this week.
They include Tuesday's fixture between Kosovo champions Ballkani and Bulgarian contenders Ludogorets Razgrad, and a Wednesday evening contest between Romanians Farul Constanta and Moldovan challengers Sheriff.
- Partizani to win
- Ludogorets Razgrad to win
- Farul Constanta to win
Partizani Can Prevail
Partizani are bidding to become the first Albanian team to reach the Champions League group stage and they can start off in the right manner by defeating BATE Borisov in Tirana.
In terms of Champions League pedigree, there is a clear advantage for Belarus contenders BATE Borisov, who have reached the group stage on five occasions.
However, BATE's impact on the European stage has waned in recent years and they are no longer the dominant force in their own country.
BATE finished third in the 2022 Belarus Championship and owe their place in 2023-24 Champions League qualifying to Uefa sanctions against domestic rivals Shakhtyor Soligorsk and Energetik-BGU Minsk, who were found guilty of match-fixing and excluded from European competition.
BATE competed in the Europa Conference League last season and subsided to a 5-0 aggregate loss to Konyaspor in the second qualifying round.
And that effort is unlikely to strike fear into the hearts of Partizani, who wrapped up the Albanian title by taking 19 points from their final seven matches.
Partizani's last Champions League campaign was in 2019-20, when they suffered a 2-0 aggregate loss to big-spending Azerbaijan outfit Qarabag in the first qualifying round.
However, they have an easier draw this time and should fancy their chances of getting through.
Ludogorets Should Establish A Lead
Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad have gained plenty of positive European experience over the last ten years and they can begin this season's challenge with a victory away to Kosovo side Ballkani.
The value of home advantage may be reduced for Ballkani, who are having to play the game in the Kosovan capital, Pristina, because their own stadium falls short of Uefa standards.
Ballkani had a decent run in the Europa Conference League last season, reaching the group stage, but they had previously fallen at the first hurdle in Champions League qualifying, losing 2-1 on aggregate to Lithuanian outfit Zalgiris Vilnius.
Ludogorets have had far greater exposure to European football and competed in the Europa League group stage last season, when they achieved home wins over Roma (2-1) and HJK Helsinki (2-0).
The Bulgarians are one of the strongest teams in the first qualifying round draw and they should start off with a victory.
Hagi's Hopefuls Should Advance
Romanian champions Farul Constanta are getting ready for their first Champions League campaign and they can make a superb start by registering a home win over Moldova opponents Sheriff.
Constanta have flourished under the stewardship of their legendary head coach Gheorghe Hagi and they can secure a first-leg lead against Sheriff, who have won just two of their last 11 away games in European competition.
