First Leg of the Third Qualifying Round of the 2025/26 Champions League: Matches and Favorites Unveiled!

Is it too soon to talk about the big final at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest? The third qualifying round of the 2025/26 Champions League kicks off this Tuesday, August 5, with second legs scheduled for the following week — and of course, you can place your Sports Bets and feel the thrill!

Win or lose, teams won't have their European journeys ended just yet. Divided into two paths, the Champions League qualifiers “relegate” losing teams to the Europa League. The Champions Path, featuring 42 national champions, grants access to the League Stage, while the League Path, with 11 teams, sends its losers to the final Playoff round for a chance to reach the tournament.

Want to know more about each matchup? Read on and get ready for the excitement of Europe’s biggest football tournament!

Matches in the Third Qualifying Round of the 2025/26 Champions League

A total of ten matchups will be played over two legs. Starting with the Champions Path, there are six fixtures:

• Malmö vs Copenhagen
• Kairat vs Slovan Bratislava
• Lech Poznań vs Red Star Belgrade
• Ludogorets vs Ferencváros
• Dynamo Kyiv vs Pafos
• Shkëndija vs Qarabağ

The League Path features four showdowns:

• Red Bull Salzburg vs Club Brugge
• Rangers vs Viktoria Plzeň
• Nice vs Benfica
• Feyenoord vs Fenerbahçe

After the qualifiers are settled, the winners will join Bodø/Glimt, Celtic, Basel, and Sturm Graz in the final Playoff for a spot in the 2025/26 Champions League League Stage. UEFA will conduct a draw to determine the decisive matchups — to be played over the following two weeks.

Malmö vs Copenhagen

Kicking off the Third Round of the Champions League qualifiers, the Eleda Stadion will host the first leg between Malmö and Copenhagen on August 5 at 2:00 PM (local time). The match is part of the Champions Path and is expected to be closely contested, as both teams are evenly matched according to the odds.

Led by Henrik Rydström, the Blues will play their fifth game in the tournament. Based on their performances in the previous stages, they’re expected to pose a real challenge. Attacking midfielder Magnus Mattsson played a key role with two goals in both 3-1 wins over Iberia 1999 from Kosovo, while left winger Taha Ali scored three times against RFS from Latvia — with 4-1 and 1-0 victories.

Meanwhile, Jacob Neestrup’s Lions face their second opponent in this Champions League campaign. Against Dirta, also from Kosovo, attacking midfielder Magnus Mattsson stood out again with two goals — helping secure 2-0 and 1-0 wins in which goalkeeper Robin Olsen wasn’t tested too much.

Head-to-Head Record

Six years later, Copenhagen has a chance to break their taboo of never having beaten Malmö. The two teams have only met in the group stage of the 2019/20 Europa League — with a draw in Sweden and a home defeat for the Lions.

Predictions

Looking at Tuesday’s clash, the balance is clear: Malmö and Copenhagen are neck-and-neck with identical win odds of 2.6. A draw in the first leg is priced at 3.45.

However, when it comes to advancing, the Danish side holds the edge with 1.53 odds, while the Swedes are underdogs at 2.5.

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Shkëndija vs Qarabağ

Get ready for a rare clash featuring less high-profile teams: Shkëndija Tetovo and Qarabağ will face off at the Toše Proeski Arena in North Macedonia, both aiming to advance to the League Stage. However, the visitors step onto the pitch as favorites — looking to return to Azerbaijan with a solid advantage.

Having never reached the League Stage, Jeton Bekiri’s Shkëndija has already proven to be a challenge. They needed extra time to eliminate The New Saints from Wales with a 2-1 win. In the next round, they faced FCSB — heir to Romania’s legendary Steaua Bucharest — and had an easier time: they won 2-1 and 1-0, with young midfielder Vane Krstevski standing out.

With greater experience in UEFA tournaments, Gurban Gurbanov’s Qarabağ had no trouble in their qualifying debut. Against Shelbourne from Ireland, the attacking duo of Leandro Andrade and Nariman Akhundzade led a 3-0 win, while the 1-0 home victory was sealed by an own goal from Martin.

Head-to-Head Record

This will be the first meeting between Shkëndija Tetovo and Qarabağ, and neither team has ever lost to a club from the opposing nation. The Red and Blacks have two wins and one draw against Azerbaijani sides — Neftchi PFK and Sumqayit. Meanwhile, the Horsemen have faced two North Macedonian clubs — Metalurg Skopje and Sileks Kratovo — with four wins and one draw.

Predictions

According to the odds, Shkëndija Tetovo will need to keep dreaming of reaching the League Stage: their win is the least likely outcome, with odds of 5.0. Qarabağ, on the other hand, are favorites with a win probability of 1.69.

And when it comes to qualifying, Qarabağ’s edge becomes even clearer: 1.17 compared to 5.0 for Shkëndija.

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Dynamo Kyiv vs Pafos

Still facing the effects of the ongoing war with Russia, Dynamo Kyiv will play at Lublin Arena in Poland and dreams of reaching the League Stage against Pafos. The first leg will take place this Tuesday, August 5, at 3:00 PM — and it promises to be a thrilling match.

Starting from the second round of the Champions Path, Dynamo Kyiv showed no mercy against Hamrun Spartans from Malta. Oleksandr Shovkovskyi’s team won both matches 3-0, with young forward Vladyslav Vanat standing out: at just 23 years old, the talent netted twice.

Also joining the qualifiers in the same round, the Cypriots faced Maccabi Tel-Aviv from Israel. Juan Carlos Carcedo’s team drew 1-1 at home and secured the result in the second leg thanks to Brazilian striker Jajá — winning 1-0.

Head-to-Head Record

Pafos will be facing a Ukrainian team for the first time, but Dynamo Kyiv has already taken on a Cypriot side. In the 2022/23 Europa League, they lost 1-0 at home to AEK Larnaca and drew 3-3 away.

Predictions

Even while playing in Poland, the Ukrainians are favorites to win with odds of 1.78. A draw is the second-most likely result, while a Pafos win is priced at 4.6. The favoritism holds in the qualification odds: Dynamo has a 1.58 chance, while the Cypriots are underdogs at 2.38.

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Rangers vs Viktoria Plzen

With their biggest rivals ahead in the race for a League Stage spot, Rangers aim to keep Scotland well represented in Europe. To do so, they must get off to a strong start against Viktoria Plzen at Ibrox Stadium on Tuesday, the 5th, at 3:45 PM — and be cautious, as this is a highly balanced matchup!

The Light Blues began their journey in the previous round with a tough duel against Panathinaikos. After a 2-0 home win at Ibrox, Russell Martin’s team drew 1-1 in Greece to seal their spot — with young left winger Djeidi Gassama, just 21 years old, scoring both goals in the tie.

The Czechs, meanwhile, had a scare in their debut against Servette, losing 1-0 at home in the Doosan Arena. In Switzerland, Miroslav Koubek’s side conceded in the fourth minute and had to battle hard to qualify — a penalty goal by Rafiu Durosinmi in the 87th minute sealed the 3-1 win.

Head-to-Head Record

Another first-time clash in the Champions Path. Against Czech teams, Rangers have mixed results: five wins, two draws, and five losses. Viktoria Plzen, on the other hand, has never lost to a Scottish team — with two wins over Hearts in last season’s Europa League qualifiers.

Predictions

Opening the tie at home, Rangers are favored to win with odds of 2.01, while Viktoria Plzen’s win is priced at 3.5 — close to the 3.65 odds for a draw. As for qualification, the scenario is much tighter: 1.82 for the Scots and 1.98 for the Czechs.

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Kairat Almaty vs Slovan Bratislava

Trying to get through the Champions League qualifiers for the first time, Kairat Almaty heads into the match aiming to deliver excitement. The Kazakh club will host Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday, August 6, at 12:00, and hopes to travel to Slovakia still dreaming of qualification.

The "Team of the Nation" began their campaign by knocking out Olimpija Ljubljana with a 3-1 aggregate win. Then, Rafael Urazbakhtin’s squad had to come from behind against FuBS from Sweden — after losing 2-0 away, they bounced back with a 3-0 win at home, with Portuguese striker Jorginho standing out.

Meanwhile, the "Kings of Bratislava" had a smoother start against Zrinjski Mostar from Bosnia and Herzegovina, winning 6-2 on aggregate. Under Vladimír Weiss, the team relies on a well-rounded attack led by forward David Strelec and playmaker Kelvin Ofori.

Head-to-Head Record

It’s another first-time clash! These teams have never faced each other before and have only one previous encounter with clubs from each other's countries. Slovan Bratislava has a win and a draw against Tobol Kostanay, while Kairat has a win and a loss against Petrzalka.

Predictions

Strong at home, Kairat is favored to win the first leg in Almaty with odds of 2.22, while a draw sits at 3.25 and a Slovan Bratislava win at 3.35.

However, when it comes to overall qualification, Kairat is the underdog with odds of 2.1. Slovan Bratislava is the favorite with a 1.73 chance of advancing.

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Red Bull Salzburg vs Club Brugge

Opening the League Path, Red Bull Salzburg and Club Brugge face off in a matchup that could easily belong to the next round. The first leg will take place Wednesday, August 6, at 14:00, at the Red Bull Arena.

After competing in the Club World Cup, the Austrians return to domestic focus in the second round of Champions League qualifiers. Coach Thomas Letsch’s squad started by beating Brann from Norway 4-1, then drawing 1-1 in the second leg — with midfielder Maurits Kjærgaard shining with two goals.

Club Brugge reached the Round of 16 last season and now looks to repeat their run. This will be their first appearance in the qualifiers, although their early season form has been inconsistent. Coach Nicky Hayen will rely on goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and midfielder Christos Tzolis.

Head-to-Head Record

After six years, Club Brugge and Red Bull Salzburg meet again. In the 2019/20 Europa League, both teams earned a win. Salzburg came out on top with a 4-1 win at home after losing 2-1 in Belgium.

Predictions

It’s close in the first leg: Club Brugge is slightly favored at 2.5, while Salzburg is priced at 2.6. A draw is valued at 3.6.

Over both legs, however, Club Brugge holds the edge for qualification with odds of 1.52 versus 2.5 for the Austrians.

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Ludogorets Razgrad vs Ferencváros

Another six-year reunion in the Champions League qualifiers. This time, Ludogorets will host Ferencváros at the Huvepharma Arena in Razgrad on August 6 at 16:40.

The "Eagles" have been in the qualifiers since the first round and needed extra time to eliminate Dinamo Minsk from Belarus with a 3-2 aggregate. Rui Mota’s team once again required extra time in the next round, beating Rijeka from Croatia 3-1 in Razgrad.

Ferencváros, coached by Irishman Robbie Keane, debuted in the second round against Noah from Armenia. The Hungarians won both legs, with an aggregate score of 6-4 — striker Barnabás Varga scoring twice.

Head-to-Head Record

Out of four previous encounters, Ferencváros holds the advantage — winning twice against Ludogorets in the 2019/20 Champions League playoffs. Both clubs later entered the Europa League that season, where the Bulgarians had the better result.

Predictions

At home, Ludogorets is favored with odds of 2.41. Ferencváros has a 3.2 chance of winning in Bulgaria, and the draw is also priced at 3.2. When it comes to qualifying, the Hungarians are favorites at 1.73, while the Bulgarians sit at 2.11.

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Lech Poznań vs Red Star Belgrade

Poznań Stadium in Poland will host two teams that made strong starts in the qualifiers: Lech Poznań and the historic Red Star Belgrade. The match begins on Wednesday, August 6, at 15:30 — and it promises to deliver drama.

Poznań’s "Locomotive" debuted in the second round with a bang: an 8-1 aggregate demolition of Breiðablik. Among the standout performers under Niels Frederiksen was veteran striker Mikael Ishak, who scored four goals — three from the penalty spot.

The Serbian giants had a similar story, thrashing Lincoln Red Imps from Gibraltar 6-1 on aggregate. Coach Vladan Milojević’s squad was led by Brazilian striker Bruno Duarte, who scored twice and played a key role.

Head-to-Head Record

Lech Poznań has never faced a Serbian club and will try to start strong. Red Star, however, has played six matches against Polish sides, with an impressive record of five wins and just one loss.

Predictions

Tradition doesn’t win games, but Red Star is favored in the first leg with odds of 2.48. The hosts are close behind at 2.85, and the draw is priced at 3.3. As for overall qualification, the Serbians remain favorites with odds of 1.43 versus 2.8 for the Poles.

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Feyenoord vs Fenerbahçe

Which team will miss its former star more? Feyenoord and Fenerbahçe meet in pursuit of a place in the League Stage — and perhaps the answer to that question. The match kicks off on Wednesday, August 6, at 16:00.

Feyenoord has yet to debut this season, and their preseason results were underwhelming: three defeats, one draw, and one win. After losing standout forward Igor Paixão, Robin van Persie’s squad now looks to midfielder Quinten Timber as their key player.

Fenerbahçe, on the other hand, enters the game in better form: four wins and just one loss in preseason. José Mourinho’s team lost key players like Dusan Tadic and Edin Džeko, but midfielders Fred and Anderson Talisca are players to watch.

Head-to-Head Record

Get ready for the tiebreaker: Feyenoord and Fenerbahçe have met four times, with two wins apiece. The Dutch side hasn’t beaten the Turkish club in 23 years — having lost both games in the 2016/17 Europa League.

Predictions

Feyenoord is favored in the first leg with odds of 2.11, while Fenerbahçe’s win is priced at 3.15. Building a strong lead at home will be crucial, as the Turks are favored to qualify: priced at 1.76 versus 2.06 for Feyenoord.

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Nice vs Benfica

The Allianz Riviera in France will host the final matchup of the third qualifying round: Nice vs Benfica, taking place at 16:00 on August 6, in a clash between two strong sides.

Fourth place finishers in Ligue 1, the "Eagles" started preseason well: four wins, one draw, and one loss. Despite losing goalkeeper Marcin Bulka, Franck Haise’s team boasts midfield star Jonathan Clauss and forward Evann Guessand.

The "Encarnados" arrive in great form after a strong Club World Cup showing, even knocking out Bayern Munich in the group stage. Coached by Bruno Lage, Benfica also won the Portuguese Super Cup against Sporting and feature striker Vangelis Pavlidis and new signing Richard Rios in midfield.

Head-to-Head Record

Another first-time encounter — especially for Nice, who has never faced a Portuguese team in an official match. Benfica, however, has played 34 matches against French clubs: 16 wins, 9 draws, and 9 losses.

Predictions

Benfica is the clear favorite to win the first leg with odds of 2.31, compared to 2.95 for Nice — and 3.5 for a draw. In terms of qualifying, the Portuguese side has an even stronger advantage: 1.36 compared to 3.1.

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Bet on the 2025/26 Champions League at Blaze!

With so many first-time matchups in this Third Qualifying Round of the Champions League 2025/26, you’re in for a thrill — as knockout rounds are often full of surprises!

That’s why it’s important to study stats and data before placing your bets. Check out our Sports Betting Encyclopedia to understand all markets and strategies to bet consciously and responsibly — remembering that betting is entertainment, not a source of income.

Ready to dive into UEFA’s top tournament? Bet on the 2025/26 Champions League at Blaze responsibly and enjoy the ride!