Verdict: Total home goals over 2.5
Best odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Hajduk Split will host HB Torshavn in the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round first leg on July 25, 2024, at the Stadion Poljud in Split, Croatia. Both teams are eager to start their European campaigns on a positive note, making this initial encounter critical for setting the tone for the tie.
Hajduk Split
Hajduk Split had a fine 2023/24 season domestically, finishing third in the Croatian First League behind champions Dinamo Zagreb and runners-up NK Rijeka, which earned them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifications. However, the most loyal among their supporters are probably feeling some disappointment after seeing their team end the campaign 14 points behind Dinamo, their fiercest rivals even from the days of the old Yugoslavia.
Thursday’s clash against Torshavn will mark exactly two months since Hajduk’s previous competitive engagement, when they beat NK Lokomotiva away from home in the final round of the Croatian top flight, which makes it hard to say much about current form. During that time, they played four friendly matches, but probably the most important one was two weeks ago when they emerged victorious against Fenerbahce, with Bruno Durdov scoring the only goal of the game.
Hajduk have made a few interesting signings this summer, most notably those of veterans Ivan Perisic and Ivan Rakitic, who boast a combined 240 caps as Croatia internationals. They’ve also appointed Gennaro Gattuso as the head coach.
Team News
For the upcoming match, Gattuso won’t be able to call upon midfielder Mihael Zaper, who is recovering from a serious knee injury. The rest of the squad should be ready to play.
HB Torshavn
HB Torshavn, the reigning champions of the Faroe Islands Premier League, had an impressive 2023/24 season domestically, dominating their league and securing a place in the Conference League. Despite being underdogs in European competitions, they have shown resilience and determination in past qualifiers, though they have yet to make a significant impact on the European stage.
Their strong domestic form provides them with confidence as they face Hajduk Split, though they will be aware that they travel to the home of an opponent of superior quality.
Unlike in most European countries, the season is currently in full flow on the Faroe Islands. With 16 rounds gone, HB Torshavn sit second in the Effodeildin, or the Faroe Islands Premier League, six points behind leaders Vikingur.
From their last five matches, HB landed three victories before suffering consecutive defeats. The last of those came against none other than Vikingur, a potential turning point in the season.
Team News
Coach Adolfo Sormani usually plays with three or five men at the back, depending on the opposition. He has the full squad at his disposal, and it remains to be seen if he makes any changes from the Vikingur defeat.
Maha Samba, who replaced Leivur Guttesen in that game 15 minutes before the end, will likely be hoping for a chance to lead the attacking line from the start this time.
Conclusion
Both teams will, of course, be looking to secure a favourable result in the first leg, and while nothing but victory would do for Hajduk, anything but a convincing defeat would represent success for HB.
Verdict: Total home goals over 2.5
Best odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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