Will KF Tirana surprise the Luxembourg champions?

Two years ago, KF Tirana were last represented in the qualifiers for the top flight, but now the Albanian record champions are back in the top flight and will face F91 Düdelingen from Luxembourg in the first round of the 2022/23 CL qualifiers. KF Tirana will play the first leg at the Luxembourg representative and are only slight underdogs.

For F91 Düdelingen it is already the 16th participation in a CL qualifier. The best result so far was a place in the third round of the CL qualifiers in 2012/13, since then Düdelingen has always been eliminated at the start of qualifying – first or second round of the CL qualifiers. It is quite possible that the negative trend will continue this time as well.

F KF Tirana are already preparing for the new season. The Albanian record champions have already played three test matches as part of their summer preparations and did not leave a bad impression. So far, only the test match against Fenerbahce Istanbul has been lost.

If KF Tirana take the momentum from the summer preparation with them, the Albanian record champions definitely have the potential to master the first qualifying round in the Champions League. Against F91 Düdelingen, an away win in the first leg is by no means out of the question.

Düdelingen – Statistics & current form

F91 Düdelingen have dominated the Luxembourg National Division for years and have already closed the gap on record champions Jeunesse Esch to twelve league titles. Last season, F91 Düdelingen won their 16th championship in the Luxembourg top flight and also punched their ticket for this year’s CL qualifiers.

For the 16-time Luxembourg champions, this year’s adventure in the qualifying phase of the top flight starts with the matches against KF Tirana. The first leg will be played by head coach Carlos Fangueiro’s team at their own staidon, the Stade Jos Nosbaum.

Despite the home advantage, however, the bookmakers do not see the Luxembourg representatives as clear favourites by any means. If you take a look at the home record in the qualifying phases for a UEFA European Cup, the slight favourite role is quite understandable. In the last nine qualifying matches at home, there has only been one defeat for the F91.

Will the Luxembourgers make the most of home advantage?

So far this calendar year, F91 Düdelingen are on a home record of 5-1-2. The last time the reigning Luxembourg champions played at their own stadium, it was a 7-0 win over Luxembourg’s Benfica on the penultimate matchday of the National Divison. A result of that magnitude against the upcoming opponents from the Balkans tends to be ruled out.

Betting fans who want to bet on an offensive spectacle in the first qualifying match of the F91 can already pick up betting odds in the 1.90 range for a bet on over 2.5 goals for Düdelingen vs. KF Tirana.

Dejvid Sinani is one of the most important players on the offensive. The 29-year-old attacking star of F91 Düdelingen scored a total of 18 goals in the league last season and was one of the most dangerous attacking players in the Luxembourg top flight. It is quite possible that Sinani will also become a success factor against KF Tirana and register a goal.

Predicted line-up of Düdelingen:
Fox; Kirch, Stumpf, Diouf, Mendes; Gashi, Agovic, Antunes, Lima; Nader, Hadji

Last matches played by Dudelange:

Cup
28/05/2022 – F91 Dudelange 2 – 3 Racing Luxembourg

National Division
22/05/2022 – FC Wiltz 71 0 – 3 F91 Dudelange

15/05/2022 – F91 Dudelange 7 – 0 FC RM Hamm Benfica

08/05/2022 – FC Rodange 91 0 – 2 F91 Dudelange

01/05/2022 – F91 Dudelange 1 – 0 Swift Hesperange

KF Tirana – Statistics & current form

Nearly a year ago, Albanian record champions KF Tirana only managed to finish fifth in the Kategoria Superiore, their worst result of the season since 2018. In return, they fared far better last season. Despite a mixed end-of-season performance, the “Tirona” won the championship title and extended their lead over the Albanian competition.

In total, the tradition-rich club from the Albanian capital has already won 26 championships. With the most recent championship, the record champions also punched their ticket for this year’s CL qualifiers. The last time KF Tirana took part in CL qualifying was in 2020, when they were eliminated by Red Star Belgrade in the second round.

KF Tirana thus missed out on the group stage of a UEFA European Cup once again. This year, the Albanian record champions will make their next attempt. In the first round, a feasible hurdle awaits the Albanian representatives against F91 Düdelingen

Will KF Tirana defy the Luxembourg champions?

Because KF Tirana visit the Luxembourgers in the first leg, even a draw this week would be a pleasing result. KF Tirana have won only one of their last 14 matches away from home at international level. In return, there have already been ten defeats for the Balkan kickers in this period.

KF Tirana did not perform badly during their summer preparations. A test match win against Shkupi was followed by a goalless draw against FC Hermannstadt. It was only against Fenerbahce Istanbul that a friendly match was lost for the first time during the summer break. However, the result against the Turkish runners-up should not be overrated.

KF Tirana left a positive impression over long stretches. If they can build on this, the Albanian record champions have the potential to beat F91 Düdelingen in the first qualifying round of the Champions League. Head coach Orges Shehi’s team will be at its best for the match against the Luxembourg side.

Predicted line-up of KF Tirana:
Lika; Tosevski, Iseni, Najdovski, Pergjoni; Aleksi, Hila, Totre, Limaj; Hasani, Bytyqi

Last matches played by KF Tirana:

Friendly club matches
25/06/2022 – Fenerbahçe 4 – 0 KF Tirana

Categoria Superiore
26/05/2022 – KF Tirana 2 – 3 Kukesi

21/05/2022 – Dinamo Tirana 2 – 1 KF Tirana

14/05/2022 – KF Tirana 3 – 1 Vllaznia

07/05/2022 – Partizani 1 – 2 KF Tirana

Düdelingen – KF Tirana Direct comparison / H2H balance

F91 Düdelingen and KF Tirana will meet for the first time ever

Düdelingen – KF Tirana Tip

Neither club has had any significant success on the international stage. In terms of experience, however, F91 Düdelingen have the edge over their Albanian guests. After all, the Luxembourg representatives have already reached the group stage of a UEFA European Cup twice.

KF Tirana, on the other hand, have always had to pull out early. Only in the 2020/21 season did the Albanian record holders miss out on a place in the group stage of a European Cup. On that occasion, they lost 3-0 to Young Boys from Bern in the Europa League play-offs.

F91 Düdelingen have been eliminated in the first round of CL qualifying two times in a row recently. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that the Luxembourg representatives will have to pack their bags in the first round of this year’s CL qualifiers. The last time F91 Düdelingen took part in the CL qualifiers, the Luxembourgers were already eliminated by Valletta in 2019.

We therefore do not rule out a surprise on Wednesday evening and dare a moderate bet of three units on Düdelingen vs KF Tirana on the Albanian guests.