A comprehensive betting guide to the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round matches on July 8, 2025, featuring expert analysis, odds, and the most profitable wagers for each encounter.
The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League officially kicks off today with ten captivating first qualifying round matches, offering a treasure trove of betting opportunities for astute punters. From Finnish champions KuPS hosting Moldova’s Milsami to the intriguing clash between Swedish giants Malmö FF and Georgian upstarts Iberia 1999, Tuesday’s fixtures promise drama, goals, and potentially lucrative returns for those who know where to look.
KuPS (Finland) vs Milsami (Moldova)
The Finnish champions enter this qualifier riding a wave of confidence, having remained unbeaten in their last four matches with three consecutive victories before a 2-2 draw against Oulu. KuPS have been particularly formidable at home, winning seven of their last nine fixtures at their fortress. Meanwhile, Milsami arrive in Finland having suffered their first defeat of the season, losing 2-1 to Sheriff in the Moldovan Cup while reduced to ten men. The visitors have struggled for consistency, failing to win five of their last seven matches across all competitions.
BEST BET FOR 1ST HALF: KuPS to lead at half-time (-150)
BEST BET: OVER 3 Total Goals (-115)
Prop Bet: KuPS TEAM TOTAL OVER 2.5 (+110)
Iberia 1999 (Georgia) vs Malmö FF (Sweden)
This encounter presents one of the most intriguing tactical battles of the day. Iberia 1999, competing under the banner of FC Saburtalo Tbilisi, have shown defensive resilience at home but struggled for goals, failing to score more than once in three of their last five matches. Malmö FF arrive with their own offensive concerns, having remained scoreless in four of their last six competitive outings. However, their defensive solidity has been impressive, keeping clean sheets in all but one of their last four matches. The absence of key striker Erik Botheim through injury further compounds Malmö’s attacking woes.
BEST BET: Under 2.5 goals at 1.76 odds
Noah (Armenia) vs Buducnost (Montenegro)
Armenian champions Noah enter as clear favorites with bookmakers offering odds around 1.30 for a home victory. The hosts have been building momentum and carry the advantage of playing at their Kotaik Stadium fortress. Buducnost arrive under a cloud of scandal, with the Montenegrin club embroiled in controversy just days before this crucial qualifier. Their recent form has been inconsistent, losing three times in their last eight games against domestic opposition, which doesn’t bode well for their European ambitions.
BEST BET FOR 1ST HALF: OVER 1.5 Goals (+110)
BEST BET: Noah -1.5 Handicap (-125)
Levadia (Estonia) vs Rigas FS (Latvia)
This Baltic derby promises to be a goal-fest, with both teams entering in excellent competitive form. Levadia have won their last six matches across all competitions, while Rigas FS have strung together four consecutive victories. The visitors are given a slight edge by bookmakers at 10/11 (1.91), reflecting their superior European pedigree after becoming only the second Latvian side to reach a European group stage. Both teams have shown attacking intent, with five of Levadia’s last eight games featuring goals at both ends.
BEST BET FOR 1ST HALF: Both teams to score in first half YES (+300)
BEST BET: Rigas FS to win at 1.66 odds
Prop Bet: Over 3 goals (+105)
Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia) vs Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan)
Slovenian champions Olimpija enter as strong favorites at 7/10 (1.70) despite over a month without competitive action. Their pre-season form has been encouraging with three wins and one draw from four friendlies. Kairat Almaty, fresh from their fourth Kazakhstani title, arrive with competitive match fitness but carrying the burden of three defeats in their last eight domestic games. The visitors’ defensive record suggests this could be a low-scoring affair, with under 2.5 goals featuring in two of their last three matches.
BEST BET FOR 1ST HALF: Olimpija to lead at half-time (2.37)
BEST BET: Olimpija to win at 1.80 odds
Prop Bet: Under 2.5 goals (-115)
Drita (Kosovo) vs Differdange (Luxembourg)
Kosovo’s newly crowned champions Drita face Luxembourg’s back-to-back title winners in what should be a home banker. Drita backed up their third-place finish in 2023/24 by topping the Kosovan league this season and will be eager to progress further than their 2021 preliminary round exit. Differdange arrive with a poor European record, having failed to win a continental tie in eight attempts since defeating Bala Town in 2015. Their recent Europa Conference League second qualifying round exit underlines their struggles on the European stage.
BEST BET FOR 1ST HALF: Drita to lead at half-time (+105)
TNS (Wales) vs Shkendija (North Macedonia)
The New Saints return to European action buoyed by their historic achievement of reaching the Europa Conference League group stage last season – a first for any Welsh club. Their dominance in Wales continues with four successive title wins. Shkendija, back as North Macedonian champions after three years, carry the psychological scars of their 2018 encounter with TNS, where they won 4-0 in the first leg only to lose 5-4 on aggregate. The visitors’ inconsistent form and European inexperience suggest home advantage will prove decisive.
BEST BET FOR 1ST HALF: TNS to lead at half-time @ 2.37
BEST BET: TNS to win @ 1.87
Prop Bet: TNS to score 2+ goals @ 1.83
Vikingur Gota (Faroe Islands) vs Lincoln Red Imps (Gibraltar)
This clash between two of Europe’s smallest footballing nations promises to be a cagey, low-scoring affair. Vikingur Gota, third-time winners of the Faroe Islands Premier League, have never won a Champions League qualifier match, suffering exits in 2017 and 2018. Lincoln Red Imps arrive with superior European experience, having reached the Europa Conference League playoff round last season and developed considerable continental nous. However, both teams’ cautious approach and limited attacking firepower suggest a tight, defensive encounter.
BEST BET: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.87
Prop Bet: Both teams to score – NO @ 1.80
Egnatia (Albania) vs Breidablik (Iceland)
Albanian champions Egnatia face a stern test against Iceland’s Breidablik in what promises to be an evenly contested encounter. Egnatia have shown resilience with six unbeaten games in their last eight outings, though their home form has been problematic with no wins in their last six home games. Breidablik arrive in excellent form with five consecutive league games unbeaten and impressive away form showing four wins and one draw in their last six road trips. The visitors’ disciplinary record suggests a card-heavy affair.
BEST BET FOR 1ST HALF: Both teams to score in first half YES (+400)
BEST BET: Egnatia to win @ 1.71
Prop Bet: Both teams to score – Yes @ 1.80
Virtus (San Marino) vs Zrinjski (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
The David vs Goliath encounter of the round sees San Marino’s Virtus face Bosnia’s Zrinjski Mostar in what appears to be the most one-sided affair on paper. Despite Virtus’ impressive 31-game unbeaten streak (24 wins, 7 draws), the gulf in quality between the nations is expected to tell. Zrinjski arrive in scintillating form, having won eight of their last nine competitive matches, with their only defeat coming in May’s season finale. Their away record in 2025 has been exemplary, remaining unbeaten in 10 of 11 road trips.
BEST BET FOR 1ST HALF: OVER 1.5 Goals @ 2.05
BEST BET: Zrinjski -2.5 Handicap @ 1.80
Prop Bet: Over 3.5 goals (+105)
Summary of Best Value Bets
For punters seeking the most profitable returns from Tuesday’s action, the standout opportunities lie in backing home favorites KuPS (1.33), Noah (1.30), and Olimpija (1.70) to secure comfortable victories. The under 2.5 goals market offers excellent value in the Iberia 1999 vs Malmö FF encounter at 1.76, while the Vikingur vs Lincoln Red Imps match screams under 2.5 goals for conservative punters.
The most intriguing upset potential lies in the Levadia vs Rigas FS Baltic derby, where the away team’s superior European experience justifies their favoritism despite playing on hostile territory. For those seeking higher-risk, higher-reward scenarios, Zrinjski’s comprehensive victory over Virtus at generous odds presents compelling value.
Today’s Champions League qualifiers offer the perfect blend of predictable outcomes and hidden gems, with savvy bettors positioned to capitalize on the extensive research and analysis available. Whether backing banker home wins or seeking value in the goals markets, Tuesday’s European action provides numerous pathways to profit for those who’ve done their homework.
