There are two derbies between groups from neighbouring nations within the first qualifying spherical.
Dublin facet Shelbourne and Belfast membership Linfield meet in a rematch of the 2005 Setanta Sports activities Cup, the previous competitors between the champions of the Republic of Eire and Northern Eire.
That was additionally the final yr Shels have been within the Champions League till now – with a younger Wes Hoolahan within the crew.
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 evening earlier than the sport due to pre-match media obligations.
Each legs of that tie will probably 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 Faculty however is now their identify).
They may meet once more later this yr if the irregularly held Livonian Cup – between the champions of Estonia and Latvia is performed once more.
Paulius Jakelis, head of selling and communications at RFS, advised BBC Sport: “From a journey perspective, it is superb – only a four-hour bus journey and we’re there.
“It means minimal journey prices, easier planning and logistics, and far simpler entry for our followers.”
