HNK Rijeka vs Ljubljana Prediction & Betting Tips - Conference League

Prediction published on 20/08/2024, 14:00  by Ian John | Modified on 23/08/2024 at 06:41 in Conference League Predictions

HNK Rijeka face Olimpija Ljubljana in the UEFA Conference League Playoff 1st Leg. The Rijecki bike has home advantage for the first match in the tie. Will our prediction back them to take the lead into the second leg against the Zmaji in Slovenia next week?

Radomir Dalovic, the head coach of Rijeka, will have to pick up his team a little after they dropped into this competition from the Europa League. The Croatian side lost to Elfsborg 3-1 on aggregate in the Third qualifying round of that competition after narrowly seeing off Corvinul Hunedoara 1-0 on aggregate in the Second qualifying round. 

However, they showed no lingering ill-effects from the defeat to Elfsborg in their most recent game. They beat Istra 1961 4-0 at home on Sunday, scoring three goals in the opening 27 minutes. Striker Franjo Ivanovic caught the eye with a brace.

Their opponents, Olimpija Ljubljana, have an excellent recent record: They are unbeaten in their last 13 games. Spanish manager Victor Sanchez has led his team to four victories in their four Europa Conference League qualifying matches thus far.

Polissya Zhytomyr, were beaten 2-0 at home and then 2-1 away from home. Olimpija then comfortably despatched Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol, beating them 3-0 at home and then 1-0 in Moldova. However, they came into this game after dropping two points at home in the league on Sunday when they drew 2-2 with Celje. 

The winner of this two-legged tie will go into the new-look UEFA Conference League Group Stage.