Preview: Ararat-Armenia vs Riga FC – prediction, team news, lineup

The 2026-27 Champions League campaign will begin on Tuesday, when Ararat-Armenia and Riga FC will meet at the Abovyan City Stadium in the first leg of the first qualifying round.

The Armenian champions will be eager to gain a healthy home advantage against the Riga side who topped the Latvian league last season.

Game preview

Formed less than a decade ago, the club underwent a series of name changes from FC Avan Academy to Ararat-Moskva before adopting its current identity, Ararat-Armenia, following promotion to Armenia’s top flight.

Managed by Manuel Tulipa, Ararat-Armenia won the Armenian Premier League title last season after collecting 60 points from 27 games, finishing four away from FC Noah.

It was their third Premier League title and first in six years, earning them a place in the first qualifying round of the Champions League.

The Armenian team won 18 league games, lost only three, scored 50 goals and conceded only 25 as they duly lifted the trophy.

In preparation for the tournament, Ararat-Armenia played two pre-season friendlies against Mura and Vojvodina, drawing 1-1 on both occasions.

Like their rivals, Riga FC have booked their place in the Champions League qualifiers after lifting the Latvian league title last season.

Riga collected 88 points from 36 games to edge RFS by one point and capture the Virsliga title for the fourth time in the club’s history.

The visitors may hold a slight edge in this game, as the Latvian top flight season has begun. Having played more than half of the league games, Gula’s players should be sharp against their Armenian counterparts.

The battle for the Virsliga title is proving to be intense this season as Riga and RFS are once again in a battle for the top spot, although Gula’s currently trail their rivals by one point.

They go to this game after defeating Jelgava 3-0, and they have won eight of the last nine games.

Form of Ararat-Armenia Champions League:

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Ararat-Armenia form (all competitions):

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Riga FC Champions League form:

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Riga FC form (all competitions):

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Team News

© Imago / IMAGO / Romans Koksarovs

It’s been a busy summer for Ararat-Armenia, who have seen left back Hakob Hakobyan depart after completing a move to Alashkert FC.

Goalkeeper Bruno Pinto and defender Joao Queiros have also left the club following the expiry of their contracts.

Ararat-Armenia responded by bringing in five free agents, with Maxence Carlier, Carlos Franca, Bruno Pereira, Luis Felipe and Sandro Lipa all in contention to play in the game.

Riga FC have maintained impressive form this season, scoring 65 goals and conceding just 19 in 22 league games while keeping nine points.

Among the standout players is midfielder Iago Siqueira Augusto, who has scored six goals and provided three assists in 16 league games.

Salah Oulad M’Hand has also caught the eye in midfield, scoring a crucial goal in 22 games, and is expected to retain his place in the starting line-up.

Ararat-Armenia may start on the list:

Bravim; Oliviera, Malis, Felipe, Pereira; Tera, Welton; Serobyan, Ambartsumyan, Shaghoyan; Park

Riga FC likely starting team:

Orols; Salazar, Wassom, Cernomordijs, Jurkovskis; Ankrah, Oulad M’hand; Diop, Augusto, Aouani; Ramires

We say: Ararat-Armenia 1-2 Riga FC

Riga come into this game in top form and boast a 21-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Gula’s have also led at half-time in eight of the last nine games. Although Ararat-Armenia should provide a tough test on home soil, we expect the visitors to take part in a very competitive first leg and gain a positive return to Latvia.

For data analysis of the most likely results, score lines and more for this game please click here.