In the first leg of the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League first qualifying round, Ararat-Armenia and Riga FC begin their qualification journey at the Abovyan City Stadium in Armenia on Tuesday. The winner of this two-legged tie will move on to the next qualifying round of the Champions League, while the team that loses will transfer to the UEFA Conference League qualification path.
Ararat-Armenia are the champions of Armenia, having finished top of the Armenian Premier League with 60 points from 27 games, four points ahead of rivals FC Noah in second place.
Thanks for the submission!
With 18 wins and six draws in the top flight last season, Ararat-Armenia had an excellent record, losing only three out of 27 fixtures to be crowned the champions of Armenia.
Meanwhile, Riga FC are the current champions of the Latvian Higher League, although they are already in the middle of defending that title, with the top-flight season 22 matchdays old.
Their most recent game took place in the Latvian league, with Riga FC winning 3-0 against FS Jelgava at Skonto Stadium thanks to goals from Raki Aouani, Reginaldo Albertino, and Juan Christian Pereira Coelho.
Riga FC are second in the Latvian Higher League table at the moment on 55 points, one point behind rivals RFS after 22 games.
In June, Riga FC signed 22-year-old Greek goalkeeper Athanasios Papadoudis to strengthen their team.
The second leg of this UEFA Champions League qualifier will take place at Skonto Stadium in Riga on Tuesday, 14 July.
Ararat Armenia vs Riga FC head-to-head stats and key numbers
- These two sides have never played against each other, so both Ararat-Armenia and Riga FC will be determined to begin their head-to-head record with a positive result.
- Ararat-Armenia have participated in the early qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League three times, but they have never qualified for the tournament proper.
- This is Riga FC’s fourth attempt to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, but they have never progressed from the qualifiers.
Ararat Armenia vs Riga FC prediction
Riga FC are fortunate to be in the middle of their domestic season, so they have momentum, and their players are in good physical condition, while Ararat-Armenia are about to start their league season.
The high-altitude Abovyan Stadium will be in the home side’s favor, but the visitors from Riga will likely focus on defending well to limit any goals ahead of next week’s second leg.
We expect home advantage to be a decisive factor here, with Ararat-Armenia securing the win.
Prediction: Ararat Armenia 2-1 Riga FC
Ararat Armenia vs Riga FC betting tips
Tip 1: Ararat-Armenia to win
Tip 2: Both sides to score
Tip 3: Over 2.5 goals
Edited by Peter Pedroncelli
