Lincoln go into tonight’s pivotal UEFA Champions League First Qualifying Round Second Leg tie against FC Santa Coloma of Andorra knowing that a score draw would be enough to see the Red Imps through to the Second Qualifying Round for the first time after only two years of being in UEFA’s premier club competition, and face the Danish champions Midtjylland.
However, if last week’s stubborn performance from the Andorran champions was anything to go by, scoring will be hard for Raul Procopio and his side, and after failing to secure victory in the home leg at the Victoria Stadium, the team made the 1200km trip to Andorra aiming to avoid a repeat of last year’s away leg in the Faroe Islands, where they found themselves 3-0 down to HB Torshavn in no time at all.
Both sides left the game last week without any injury concerns, but in truth little can be gleaned from the first leg in the Victoria, with the Andorrans less likely to show Lincoln quite as much respect in their tactical approach as they did when employing a 5-4-1 formation when defending attacks from the Red Imps. With only three shots on target registered all game, a high scoring affair like the 5-2 in Torshavn does not seem likely, although an early goal for either side would do the game wonders in terms of its entertainment.
Looking at the bookies though, it is clear in their minds at least that Santa Coloma are clear favourites to win the match, with Bet365 offering odds of 1.5 for the home side to win and progress to the next round. The draw, which as long as it isn’t 0-0 would see Lincoln go through, is priced at 4.33, while an away win is as high as 6.00.
Lincoln have confirmed that the game tonight will be streamed live on the Andorran FA website.
Football Gibraltar tips: (Odds correct as of time of posting)
Under 2.5 Goals – 2.00
Lincoln or Draw – 2.50
Football Gibraltar 