The Champions League action continues, and this time, all eyes turn to Yerevan, where Armenian champions Noah will take on the seasoned European contenders Ferencváros. It’s a clash of ambition versus experience, with one side looking to extend a historic journey, and the other eager to reassert continental dominance.
Noah: A Young Club with Big Dreams
Noah is still writing its football story, having only been founded in 2017. Yet just last year, they made waves by becoming only the second Armenian team to reach the main stage of a European tournament going as far as Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea. Now they find themselves in the Champions League for the first time ever, and while the excitement is real, so is the challenge.
This campaign, the black-and-whites are led by Croatian manager Sandro Perković, who stepped in after Portuguese coach Rui Mota moved on to Ludogorets. Perković already made his mark—guiding Noah past Montenegrin side Budućnost in the first qualifying round. It wasn’t easy. A narrow win at home and a high-scoring draw away were just enough to push the Armenians through. An early red card to the opposition certainly helped.
Ferencváros: Back to Business
For Ferencváros, this will be their first official match of the 2025/26 season. The Hungarian champions had a bye in the opening round and have yet to kick off their domestic campaign. But don’t be fooled—this team is ready. In pre-season, they looked sharp, winning all three of their friendlies.
Managed by Robbie Keane, the “Green Eagles” are no strangers to European football. While they haven’t reached the Champions League group stage since 2020, last season they advanced to the Round of 16 in the Europa League. Their European pedigree is solid, and notably, they have never lost to an Armenian side in their history. Some of the action will surely catch attention over at ranksbet, where fans are already sizing up the odds on this intriguing encounter.
Key Lineups and Tactical Notes
Noah (4-2-3-1): Chančarević – Ferreira, Silva, Muradyan, Sualehe – Sangaré, Eteki – Grgić, Omar, Boakye – Gregoriou
Coach: Sandro Perković
Ferencváros (3-5-2): Dibusz – Szalai, Cissé, Gartenmann – Makreckis, Keita, Tóth, Maïga, Ramírez – Joseph, Varga
Coach: Robbie Keane
No major injuries or suspensions reported on either side.
Referee Spotlight: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea (Spain)
A familiar name in La Liga, De Burgos has officiated 18 UEFA club matches since 2020. He crossed paths with Ferencváros before, refereeing their 1-2 home loss to Slovan Bratislava in the 2022/23 qualifiers. Last season, he averaged 3.27 yellow cards, 21.83 fouls, and awarded seven penalties in 30 matches—expect firm, but fair control.
Prediction: Ferencváros to Prevail
Let’s face it—Noah had trouble against Budućnost, even allowing a short-handed opponent to erase a two-goal deficit. Ferencváros, meanwhile, brings a higher level of quality and consistency, and even without recent competitive matches, their friendly form suggests strong momentum. A fifth straight win across all competitions is within reach.
Main Bet: Ferencváros to win at 2.18
Goals Market: Over 2.5 goals at 2.13Noah’s last four European matches have seen three or more goals in all but one, and Ferencváros tends to be involved in high-scoring affairs too—only three of their last ten ended with under three goals.
Correct Score Tip: 1-2 at 9.25Looking at the last 20 European games for both teams, Noah’s matches average 3.26 goals, while Ferencváros sits close at 3.05. A tight 1-2 outcome in favor of the visitors feels like a reasonable guess.
Stay tuned it promises to be a fiery night in Yerevan!
