Preview: HNK Rijeka vs Strasbourg – prediction, team news, lineups

Croatian aspect HNK Rijeka have loved a powerful run within the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League and now stand two matches away from a spot within the quarter-finals as they put together to host RC Strasbourg Alsace within the spherical of 16 at Stadion HNK Rijeka on Thursday.

The first leg will happen in Rijeka, whereas the return fixture is scheduled every week later in France, with each side battling to maintain their European marketing campaign alive and transfer a step nearer to the ultimate in Leipzig in May.

Match preview

Rijeka’s marketing campaign started earlier within the season within the league part of the Europa Conference League, the place the Croatian aspect confronted a demanding schedule in opposition to groups from throughout the continent.

The aspect confirmed resilience and defensive self-discipline all through the stage, securing beneficial outcomes together with a goalless draw in opposition to Shakhtar Donetsk and a convincing 3–0 victory over NK Celje, performances that helped them stay aggressive within the standings and laid the platform for his or her push into the knockout rounds.

After navigating the league part, the Rijeka Whites continued their European journey within the knockout play-offs, producing a robust show in opposition to AC Omonia by profitable each legs of the tie to safe their place within the spherical of 16.

The team’s attacking risk beneath Victor Sanchez del Amo has been pushed by a number of key contributors throughout the match, with midfielder Toni Fruk rising as one of many aspect’s main scorers whereas gamers comparable to Dion Drena Beljo and Niko Petrovic have additionally delivered necessary objectives and artistic spark, serving to Rijeka stay aggressive in opposition to stronger European opposition.

However, the problem going through Rijeka within the spherical of 16 is critical, as their opponents Strasbourg completed high of the league part and entered the knockout stage as one of many seeded sides after an unbeaten run, that means the Croatian membership will probably want two robust performances to maintain their European dream alive.

With the primary leg set to be performed in entrance of their house supporters at Stadion HNK Rijeka, the hosts will hope to grab the initiative earlier than the decisive return match in France, realizing {that a} optimistic end result on Thursday might put them in a robust place to succeed in the quarter-finals and proceed what has already been a memorable European marketing campaign.

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Strasbourg have loved a powerful run within the 2025–26 Conference League, and their marketing campaign continues this week with a difficult spherical-of-16 first leg away to HNK Rijeka on Thursday night time.

Having emerged as one of the crucial constant groups within the competitors thus far, the aspect led by Gary O’Neil will journey to Croatia with confidence as they intention to take one other step towards the latter levels of Europe’s third-tier membership match.

Strasbourg’s robust performances within the league part ensured they completed high of the standings and secured computerized qualification for the spherical of 16, with their spectacular type throughout the opening stage seeing them stay unbeaten and permitting them to bypass the knockout play-off spherical solely.

The French membership’s success has been constructed on an brisk attacking method and several other standout particular person shows, with ahead Martial Godo rising as one among their major attacking threats within the competitors after contributing three objectives and two assists within the match.

Now, nevertheless, the extent of issue will increase as Strasbourg put together to face Rijeka over two legs, with the Croatian hosts recognized to be harmful opponents at house the place the compact ambiance and passionate help usually make life troublesome for visiting groups.

Thursday’s first leg at Stadion HNK Rijeka subsequently represents a vital take a look at for Le Racing as they try to take care of their momentum and proceed what has been an encouraging European marketing campaign.

HNK Rijeka Conference League type:

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HNK Rijeka type (all competitions):

Strasbourg Conference League type:

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Team News

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HNK Rijeka have nearly a clear invoice of well being heading into the tie, though proper-again Teo Barisic stays sidelined with the hamstring harm he sustained final month, whereas midfielder Toni Fruk was a late substitute of their current league match in opposition to HNK Vukovar 1991 resulting from a suspected harm and will miss the European conflict.

Sanchez del Amo is anticipated to welcome again the duo of Tornike Morchiladze and Merveil Ndockyt after each served suspensions throughout the second leg in opposition to AC Omonia, though defenders Ante Majstorovic and Ante Orec are strolling a disciplinary tightrope and threat suspension in the event that they obtain one other reserving.

For the guests, Strasbourg even have a number of harm issues forward of Thursday’s encounter, with striker Emanuel Emegha nonetheless sidelined resulting from a muscle fibre tear, defender Aaron Anselmino recovering from a hamstring harm, and winger Diego Moreira unavailable due to an abductor drawback.

Meanwhile, Valentin Barco and Guela Doue are additionally one reserving away from suspension after accumulating two yellow playing cards throughout the league part of the Conference League this season.

HNK Rijeka attainable beginning lineup:

Zlomsilic; Majstorovic, Husic, Devetak; Lasickas, Barco, Dantas, Orec; Radeljic, Gojak, Juric

Strasbourg attainable beginning lineup:

Penders; Doue, Doukoure, Omobamidele, Chilwell; El Mourabet, Barco; Oyedele, Enciso, Godo; Panichelli

We say: HNK Rijeka 1-1 Strasbourg

Two groups who’ve proven respectable type all through the competitors will meet on Thursday, however with the knockout stage now underway the strain and stress of the event might make the competition notably cagey.

While Rijeka will look to capitalise on house benefit and construct a lead earlier than the return leg in France, Strasbourg’s consistency within the competitors suggests they’re able to securing a end result on the highway, and a stalemate in Croatia seems a practical consequence forward of the decisive second leg.

For information evaluation of the almost definitely outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.