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

Looking to advance past the third round of qualifying, Breidablik and Zrinjski Mostar clash at Kopavogsvollur for the second leg of their Europa League tie on Thursday night.

Blikar need to produce a victory amid a poor run of recent form, whilst Plemici are aiming to build on a less-than-ideal display in front of their home supporters during the first leg.

Match preview

After lifting their third-ever Besta Deildin crown in 2024, Breidablik are facing a real battle to maintain control of their domestic scene, with Thursday night's hosts in the Europa League currently five points behind leaders Valur in the top-tier rankings.

A trip to the pacesetters was on the agenda last time out on Sunday afternoon, when second-half strikes from Bjarni Antonsson and Orri Sigurdur Omarsson sealed a last-gasp success for the in-form side following Damir Muminovic's opener for Blikar after four minutes.

Taking both domestic and continental clashes into consideration, the Icelandic giants are currently in the midst of a six-game winless streak across competitive matches, failing to keep a clean sheet in any of those contests - a statistic that has left manager Halldor Arnason scratching his head.

With the tie locked at 1-1 heading into the all-important second leg this week, Breidablik will take comfort from that fact that both of their victories so far in the 2025-26 cycle have arrived at their Kopavogsvollour base, with Blikar beating Albanian minnows Egnatia (5-0) and Icelandic foes Vestri (1-0).

Finding the net for Breidablik during the first leg after initially missing a penalty kick, Tobias Thomsen is the standout man for the hosts at the top end of the pitch, with the 32-year-old scoring eight goals and providing one assist across 17 Besta Deildin matches in 2025.

Whilst the rest of their domestic rivals commence schedules on the top-flight scene, nine-time Bosnian champions Zrinjski Mostar have enjoyed a five-game European adventure so far this summer, with Thursday's visitors potentially three matches away from the league phase of the Europa League.

Last week's first-leg clash at Stadion Bijeli Brijeg was undoubtedly a major opportunity for Plemici to gain an advantage overall, but after Thomsen fired Breidablik ahead early on, it was a case of recovery for the hosts, who levelled the scores from the penalty spot in second half courtesy of their first-choice striker.

Holding his nerve from 12 yards out to beat the attentions of Icelandic goalkeeper Anton Ari Einarsson, 34-year-old Nemanja Bilbija continued his exceptional form for Zrinjski, who have seen the veteran marksman fire in 133 strikes across just 184 contests since returning back from South Korean outfit Gangwon FC in January 2020.

As is the case with Thursday night's hosts, Plemici commenced this season's continental exploits in the first round of Champions League qualifying, easing the efforts of Virtus Acquaviva before falling flat on their face, losing 6-2 on aggregate to league phase regulars Slovan Bratislava.

In a moment when Zrinjski require firepower to propel themselves into the playoff round, the Bosnian visitors will be missing the talents of striker Nardin Mulahusejnovic, who secured a switch to FC Noah of Armenia after winning Plemici's Golden Boot last season.

Breidablik Europa League form:

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

Zrinjski Mostar Europa League form:

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

Team News

Following a respectable draw on the road last Thursday, Breidablik should opt for a theme of continuity as they seek to book a spot in the playoff round of Europa League qualifying.

There are a number of attackers players who are knocking on the door for starts, though, including promising youngster Oli Omarsson.

After struggling during the first half last week, Zrinjski Mostar made two changes at the break, with both right-back Kerim Memija and midfielder Antonio Ivancic surviving just 45 minutes of action.

As a result, we could see an alteration to the starting XI of the Bosnian champions, with Mateo Susic and Tomislav Kis staking their respective claims to be selected from the off in Iceland.

Picking up a yellow card last time out, centre-back Ilija Masic needs to be wary of collecting another caution if he wishes to avoid a suspension for potential later rounds.

Breidablik possible starting lineup:

A. Einarsson; Orrason, Muminovic, Margeirsson, Jonsson; Valgeirsson, Gunnlaugsson, V. Einarsson; Thorsteinsson, Steindorsson, Thomsen

Zrinjski Mostar possible starting lineup:

Karacic; Susic, Sunjic, Masic, Mamic; Savic, Surdanovic, Mikic, Kis, Pranjic; Bilbija

We say: Breidablik 1-0 Zrinjski Mostar (Breidablik win 2-1 on aggregate)

After grinding out a respectable draw during the first leg, Breidablik will be confident of getting the job done on home soil this Thursday.

Blikar have struggled of late on all fronts but have a knack of advancing through the qualifying rounds of European competition, with Zrinjski set to be their latest victims.

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