Rijeka vs Elfsborg Match Analysis & Prediction
08/08/2024 9:00 pm
HNK Rijeka are set to host IF Elfsborg at the Stadion HNK Rijeka on Thursday night in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie.
Rijeka had their best season since last winning the HNL title in 2016-17, finishing in second place with 74 points from 36 matches, eight points behind the eventual champions Dinamo Zagreb.
Zeljko Sopic’s side were top of the league going into the final five matches, but a disappointing run of four defeats before winning 4-0 on the final day saw them give up the position to the champions.
Sopic also saw his side suffer a 3-1 aggregate defeat in the final of the Croatian Cup during a poor run of results, something the manager will be determined to put right with wins this season.
They are unbeaten in their opening three competitive matches of this campaign, although they only narrowly progressed past Corvinul Hunedoara in the second qualifying round before convincingly beating NK Lokomotiva Zagreb 4-0 in their first league game.
Rijeka wil now face Elfsborg in their biggest test of the campaign so far, looking to ultimately progress through to the Europa League for the first time since finishing bottom of Group F in 2020-21.
Elfsborg also had a positive yet heart-breaking last season, finishing level on points with champions Malmo but finishing as runners-up due to an inferior goal difference, denying them their first league title since 2012.
However, they have failed to reach those heights this year, disappointingly sitting seventh in the Swedish Allsvenskan after 17 matches played, already a significant 13 points behind league leaders Malmo.
Oscar Hiljemark was appointed in June as Jimmy Thelin left for Aberdeen, and the new manager has been able to improve their fortunes, winning seven of his eight matches in charge.
While Hiljemark will be looking to continue that positive run here, he will be aware of his side’s struggles on the road this season, managing just two away wins from eight league matches away from home.
Rijeka vs. Elfsborg Head to head
This will be the first meeting between these two teams.
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Rijeka Team News
Rijeka will be unable to call upon the services of Bruno Goda and Martin Zlomislic after both sustained injuries that will keep them out for several weeks.
Dejan Petrovic scored the only goal of their second qualifying round tie against Corvinul Hunedoara and the midfielder is likely to play a big part here as well.
Rijeka's Last 5 Matches
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06/07/2024Rijeka7Primorje1Club Friendlies
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17/07/2024Salzburg1Rijeka0Club Friendlies
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25/07/2024Corvinul Hunedoara0Rijeka0Europa League
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01/08/2024Rijeka1Corvinul Hunedoara0Europa League
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04/08/2024Rijeka4Lokomotiva Zagreb0HNL
Elfsborg Team News
Elfsborg have avoided any fresh injury concerns in recent weeks, leaving Hiljemark will a fully fit squad to choose from, and the manager could opt to name the same side that beat Sheriff Tiraspol last time out.
Michael Baidoo, who scored in that 2-0 win, is Elfsborg’s joint top-scorers in the league with five goals, and the attacker is expected to start here.
Elfsborg's Last 5 Matches
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18/07/2024Pafos2Elfsborg5Europa League
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21/07/2024Elfsborg3Mjallby1Allsvenskan
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25/07/2024Sheriff0Elfsborg1Europa League
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28/07/2024Elfsborg1Djurgarden2Allsvenskan
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01/08/2024Elfsborg2Sheriff0Europa League
Rijeka vs. Elfsborg: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
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