- Rijeka have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 2 of their 6 home games in all competitions.
- Derry are winless after 3 away games in all competitions (D1, L2).
- Rijeka have won 4, drawn 3 and lost 3 of their last 10 games in all competitions.
Rijeka the right price
HNK Rijeka vs Derry City preview: HNK Rijeka are the solid favorites with bookies for Thursday's UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 game against Derry City, and for good reason.
The Croatians are the superior team on paper and they have a record that supports their status as favorites, even if they have not been flawless in recent matches.
Derry are on a three-game losing streak after being beaten 2-4 at home by Waterford FC in the Irish Premier Division 2026 last time out and losing back-to-back games to PFC CSKA Sofia in UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026.
They have won only 2, drawn 3 and lost 5 of their last 10 in all competitions, so there are no excuses for the Candystripes being 8.9 for the victory in Croatia.
Rijeka have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their last 5 in all competitions, so they are still in the thick of the market to win the game at 1.27.
Matjaz Kek's side drew 0-0 away to NK Istra 1961 Pula and beat NK Gorica 2-0 at home in their last two HNL 2025/2026 assignments.
They have three different formations
Kek has established a 4-3-3 system for the club that has pressed well and pushed the ball forward quickly.
Rijeka can morph into more compact 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1 shapes when they have to and they have an edge in the forward line through Ghanaian forward Daniel Adu-Adjei.
The Ghanaian has scored three of his club's eight goals across the last five matches in all competitions, which is more than enough to make him their most likely scorer for Thursday's clash.
HNK Rijeka vs Derry City prediction: Lynch's men look more like a 4-3-3 team too, but it's a little more 'ad-hoc' and they haven't been as fluid in pressing opponents during the recent games.
Michael Duffy, who has provided four assists in Derry's last five in all competitions, is the best player on either side on Thursday and he can unlock the home defence on the break if Derry can spring him into space.
But Lynch's team may spend long spells chasing shadows on Thursday if Rijeka can get in front and set the pace.
HNK Rijeka vs Derry City betting tips: Rijeka's home record of three wins, one draw and two defeats is good enough for us to back them in the match odds here, while a Rijeka win to nil could be the best value. Derry have conceded six goals in three away games in all competitions and the Croatians have let through an average of only 0.67 at Rujevica while scoring 1.17 on average in all competitions.
HNK Rijeka vs Derry City prediction: Rijeka's home record of three wins, one draw and two defeats is good enough for us to back them in the match odds here, while a Rijeka win to nil could be the best value. Derry have conceded six goals in three away games in all competitions and the Croatians have let through an average of only 0.67 at Rujevica while scoring 1.17 on average in all competitions.
