The 2024-25 Champions League campaign will get underway when HJK Helsinki travel to Lithuania for Tuesday's first leg of the qualifying clash with Panevezys.
The winner of the first-round qualifying tie will go on to face Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok in the next stage.
Match preview
Panevezys are set to make their first Champions League appearance after being crowned Lithuanian champions for the first time last season.
They won 26, draw nine and lost just one of their 36 league matches to finish 12 points clear of second-placed Zalgiris.
Unfortunately for Panevezys, they are currently in the midst of a disastrous title defence, having mustered 21 points from 21 matches to leave them languishing in the relegation playoff spot.
After losing their last two league matches, Panevezys may be grateful for the opportunity to turn their focus to a different competition.
While they have never appeared in the Champions League, Panevezys have appeared in Europa Conference League qualifying in each of the previous three seasons, winning just one of their four ties in that period.
Meanwhile, HJK are participating in Champions League qualifying after winning their fourth consecutive league title last season.
In contrast to Tuesday's hosts, HJK are faring well in their title defence, having collected 28 points from 15 matches to establish a three-point lead at the top of the Veikkausliiga table.
However, they would have been bitterly disappointed to fall to a heavy 3-0 defeat in Saturday's clash against title rivals Ilves.
They will have to quickly put their poor result behind them as they turn their focus to their fourth straight appearance in the Champions League qualifying rounds.
HJK can certainly take confidence from the fact that they have progressed from the first round in each of the previous three seasons, ousting Buducnost Podgorica and RFS in 2021 and 2022 respectively, before beating Larne in extra time in last year's competition.
However, the visitors have struggled in their recent European away trips, failing to win any of their last 11 away matches in UEFA competition.
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Team News
Linas Klimavicius is set to return to the Panevezys backline after missing the recent defeat to Hegelmann through suspension.
Cheikhou Dieng is poised to make his fifth appearance since completing a move from Austrian side Leoben earlier this summer.
Having started the last two matches, Norwegian forward Sivert Gussias could be given the chance to lead the line against HJK.
As for the visitors, Georgios Kanellopoulos is expected to return to the starting lineup after serving a one-match suspension.
Although his side conceded three goals at the weekend, Toni Korkeakunnas is likely to stick with a back three of Aapo Halme, Joona Toivio and Diogo Tomas.
Crystal Palace loanee Luke Plange will pose one of HJK's main goal threats, having scored six goals in 16 appearances this season.
Panevezys possible starting lineup:
Cerniauskas; Rasimavicius, Cacutalua, Klimavicius, Mazan; Veliulis, De Vega, Gorobsov, Palacios-Martinez, Dieng; Gussias
HJK Helsinki possible starting lineup:
Ost; Halme, Toivio, Tomas; Kouassivi-Benissan, Sarpei, Kanellopoulos, Pallas; Hostikka, Keskinen, Plange
We say: Panevezys 1-2 HJK Helsinki
HJK have not won a European away game since beating Maribor in Europa League qualifying in August 2022, but we think that winless run will come to an end when they face a Panevezys side who will be low on confidence after losing four of their previous six matches.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
