There are two derbies between groups from neighbouring international locations within the first qualifying spherical.
Dublin facet Shelbourne and Belfast membership Linfield meet in a rematch of the 2005 Setanta Sports activities Cup, the outdated competitors between the champions of the Republic of Eire and Northern Eire.
That was additionally the final 12 months Shels have been within the Champions League till now – with a younger Wes Hoolahan within the workforce.
They go into the sport with a brand new supervisor in former West Ham defender Joey O’Brien after the shock resignation of Damien Duff.
Linfield, as 57-time champions of Northern Eire, are regulars at this stage. They’re additionally managed by an ex-Premier League participant, with former Leeds, Preston and Sunderland striker David Healy on the helm.
Their respective grounds are lower than a two-hour drive aside – which for Shelbourne is a shorter journey than some league video games. Nonetheless, they’ve to remain in Belfast the night time earlier than the sport due to pre-match media obligations.
Each legs of that tie might be reside on the BBC Sport web site and iPlayer.
The opposite derby is between Levadia Tallinn of Estonia and Latvian facet RFS (which as soon as stood for Riga Soccer College however is now their identify).
They might meet once more later this 12 months if the irregularly held Livonian Cup – between the champions of Estonia and Latvia is performed once more.
Paulius Jakelis, head of promoting and communications at RFS, instructed BBC Sport: “From a journey perspective, it is ideally suited – only a four-hour bus journey and we’re there.
“It means minimal journey prices, less complicated planning and logistics, and far simpler entry for our followers.”
About the Author
