MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 13:23:24| >> :600:31850472:31850472:
[monks data]
Europa League | Third Qualifying Round | 2nd Leg
Aug 17, 2023 at 6.30pm UK
Kopavogsvollur

Breidablik
1 - 0
Zrinjski Mostar

Jakovljevic (55' og.)
Sigurjonsson (73')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Barisic (45'), Canadija (90+1')

Preview: Breidablik vs. Zrinjski Mostar - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between Breidablik and Zrinjski Mostar, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Zrinjski Mostar will be looking to confirm their place in the Europa League playoff round when they travel to Breidablik on Thursday evening.

The Bosnian outfit head into the second leg of this tie having established a 6-2 aggregate lead ahead of their trip to Iceland.


Match preview

When Breidablik and Zrinjski were paired together in the third qualifying round of the Europa League, one thing became clear: One of these sides would be guaranteed group-stage football in Europe for the first time ever.

With the winner of this tie having the minimum of a Europa Conference League spot in their possession for September onwards, the stakes were high ahead of the opening leg in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Neither side could claim to be overwhelming favourites based on their recent form, yet it was Zrinjski who made a mockery of that perception as they prevailed by a 6-2 scoreline.

They were five goals to the good at half time - helped by the 31st-minute dismissal of Viktor Karl Einarsson - and there would have been a tinge of disappointment with how they ended the opening contest.

Nevertheless, Krunoslav Rendulic and his side have put themselves on the brink of creating history and will expect to do so having had a week to prepare for the reverse fixture.

Although they have only won two of their five European fixtures this term, their two defeats have been by one-goal margins, highlighting the size of the task in front of Breidablik.

That particularly rings true when the Icelandic side are without a victory in six games in all competitions, conceding 17 times in their last 360 minutes of action.

While a 1-1 draw was recorded against KA at the weekend, it left Oskar Hrafn Thorvaldsson's team as many as 15 points adrift of first place in the top flight.

At a time when they will be dreaming of one of the best comebacks in European footballing history, regaining some form ahead of the likely demotion to the third tier of continental football is more realistic.

Breidablik Europa League form:


Breidablik form (all competitions):
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • D


Zrinjski Mostar Europa League form:


Zrinjski Mostar form (all competitions):
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • W



Team News

With Einarsson suspended, Jason Dadi Svanthorsson may switch to the right flank, but Thorvaldsson then has a decision to make regarding who comes into the side.

Using Klaemint Olsen as a second forward is a possibility, while teenager Agust Orri Thorsteinsson may be handed a chance on the left.

Meanwhile, Zrinjski defender Hrvoje Barisic was substituted through injury less than half-an-hour into the first leg.

The defender was replaced by Matej Senic, and that will theoretically be the only change providing that Rendulic opts to name his strongest XI.


Breidablik possible starting lineup:
Einarsson; Yeoman, Margeirsson, Muminovic, Gunnlaugsson; Eyjolfsson, Sigurjonsson, Ludviksson; Svanborsson, Steindorsson, Thorsteinsson

Zrinjski Mostar possible starting lineup:
Maric; Corluka, Jakovljevic, Senic, Ticnovic; Ivancic, Kis, Canadija; Malekinusic, Bilbija, Cuze


SM words green background

We say: Breidablik 2-2 Zrinjski Mostar (Zrinjski Mostar to win 8-4 on aggregate)

Facing a four-goal deficit, Breidablik have little choice but to go on the offensive from the off in this game. However, that will only provide the visitors with extra space to put the tie out of their hosts' reach, and we expect Zrinjski to cruise over the line.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


ID:521174:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect7847:
Written by
Darren Plant

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Breidablik vs Zrinjski Mostar

Breidablik
24.0%
Draw
22.0%
Zrinjski Mostar
54.0%
50
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Granada manager Diego Martinez pictured on January 9, 2021
Read Next:
Thursday's Europa League predictions including Olympiacos vs. Genk
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio651016
2Athletic Bilbao651016
3Anderlecht642014
4Lyon641113
5Frankfurt641113
6Galatasaray633012
7Man Utd633012
8Rangers632111
9Spurs632111
10FCSB632111
11Real Sociedad631210
12Ajax631210
13Bodo/Glimt631210
14Roma62319
15Olympiacos62319
16Ferencvaros63039
17Plzen62319
18AZ62228
19Fenerbahce62228
20Porto62228
21Union SG62228
22Braga62137
23Elfsborg62137
24PAOK62137
25Midtjylland62137
26M. Tel Aviv62046
27Hoffenheim61326
28Besiktas62046
29Slavia Prague61144
30FC Twente60424
31Malmo61144
32Ludogorets60333
33Qarabag61053
34RFS60242
35Nice60242
36Dynamo Kiev60060


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!