Prediction: Rijeka vs Hibernian

Verdict: Hibernian double chance 

Best Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to extend on their Europa Conference League adventure in midweek, Scottish outfit Hibernian will make the trip to the Stadion Rujevica when they face off against Rijeka on Thursday night.

Rijeka

Starting with the hosts, throwing away the lead over in Scotland last week in their first-leg meeting, there is no doubt that Rijeka will know they were lucky to have left with something to show for their troubles. Heavily outplayed and watching Hibernian create a host of clear-cut chances, the Croatian outfit will be glad to make a return to home soil on Thursday night. Having to settle for a bronze medal finish in the Prva HNL last season and last seen on domestic duties playing out an action-packed 3-3 draw away at Dinamo Zagreb when opening August, Head Coach Goran Tomić should be boosted by his side’s continued success at the Stadion Rujevica. Including a 1-0 victory against Malta-based side Gzira United on July 29th, Rijeka have won all three of their competitive home fixtures across all formats since opening the 2021 campaign, a run that has also seen them land three clean sheets on the spin.

Team News

Impressing last week, 21-year-old keeper Nediljko Labrović should once again get the nod and start between the sticks.

All picking up bookings in the first-leg, the likes of Andrija Vukčević, Hrvoje Smolčić and Issah Abass are one yellow card away from a ban.

Hibernian

As for the visitors, while Hibernian would have been rightfully disappointed to have only played out a 1-1 draw on home soil in their first-leg meeting last week, the Scottish outfit really bounced back in some style. Sneaking themselves another European run after landing their own bronze medal finish in the Premiership last season, Head Coach Jack Ross has been filled with praise for his side’s recent displays. Along with managing to open the 2021 campaign with an action-packed 3-2 victory away at Motherwell, the one-time Sunderland boss saw his side land another thumping win last weekend. Picking up some perfect momentum at Easter Road, Hibs landed a 3-0 romp against Ross County and the mood in their camp should be at a real high. Extending on their European adventure after securing a routine 5-1 aggregate win against Andora-based side FC Santa Coloma last month, Ross’ side might fancy their chances of springing an upset on foreign soil in midweek.

Team News

Limping off of the first-leg with a dead leg last week, it is believed that striker Kevin Nisbet should be in line to return on Thursday night.

Aside from Chris Cadden, Melker Hallberg and Sean Mackie who are all long-term absentees, Hibs have no other injury issues.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Thursday’s opponents faced off in the first-leg at Easter Road last week, they played out a 1-1 draw.
• Rijeka have picked up three home victories on the spin since opening the 2021 campaign, securing a clean sheet in each of those wins.
• Likewise, in their five competitive matchups across all formats so far this season, Hibernian have recorded four wins and a single draw.
• Striker Martin Boyle has bagged himself five goals in as many outings.
• Including their pre-season run, Rijeka have seen 10 of their last 11 matchups finish with over 1.5 goals.

Conclusion

While Rijeka might open Thursday’s second-leg as a standout pick with the bookmakers, there is no doubt that Hibernian will really fancy their chances of springing an upset on foreign soil here. Gaining some perfect momentum last weekend and landing a 3-0 romp against Ross County at Easter Road, Jack Ross’ side find themselves enjoying a summer purple patch. Opening up the 2021/22 campaign with a real flurry and taking their early-season place at the top of the table, Hibs also impressed with their first-leg display last week. Despite eventually having to settle for a 1-1 draw in Edinburgh after creating a string of chances, a double chance at the Stadion Rujevica appear at attractive odds on Thursday night.

Verdict: Hibernian double chance

Best Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Unibet