Preview: Partizan vs Hibernian - prediction, team news, lineups

Partizan and Hibernian will clash on Thursday night at the Partizan Stadium in the first leg of their third qualifying round meeting in the Conference League.

The hosts defeated Oleksandria 6-0 on aggregate in the second qualifying round, while the visitors enter this competition after a Europa League second qualifying round exit against Midtjylland.

Match preview

Since last winning the Serbian SuperLiga title in 2016-17, Partizan have consistently played second fiddle to Crvena Zvezda, finishing second in six of the eight subsequent seasons.

That was the case once again last term as Partizan finished a considerable 27 points behind the champions, with their second-placed finish also meaning they entered the Europa League in the qualifying rounds.

Partizan started the 2025-26 campaign with a penalty exit in the Europa League first qualifying round against AEK Larnaca, meaning they dropped into the second round in the Conference League, where they beat Oleksandria 6-0 on aggregate to reach this stage.

That dominant victory has coincided with a strong start in the Serbian SuperLiga, with Partizan winning each of their opening two matches, meaning they come into this one with four straight victories.

Now aiming to secure a first leg lead at their home ground as they look to progress to the playoff round in the Conference League, Partizan will host Hibernian on Thursday.

Hibs enjoyed a strong 2024-25 campaign, climbing from an eighth-placed finish in 2023-24 to placing third in the Scottish Premiership last term, meaning they initially qualified for the Europa League.

Similarly to Thursday's hosts, Hibernian were eliminated in their first appearance in the Europa League this term, losing 3-2 on aggregate to Midtjylland in the second qualifying round.

They have bounced back from their elimination with a 2-1 win over Dundee in their opening fixture of the new Scottish Premiership campaign, and they will be hoping to build on that on Thursday.

David Gray's side will have to improve their recent form on the road if they are to take anything from this first leg meeting, as Hibs have won only one of their last seven away matches across all competitions.

Partizan form (all competitions):

Hibernian form (all competitions):

Team News

Partizan will be without Arandel Stojkovic for Thursday's clash after the defender was dismissed in the second leg of their Conference League second qualifying round clash with Oleksandria.

With Mario Jurcevic also a doubt to feature at left-back, having missed Partizan's last two matches, Srdan Blagojevic could face a difficult decision for his team selection in defence.

As for Hibernian, Joe Newell is set to remain on the sidelines until the end of the month due to a groin injury that has kept him out of action since February.

Kieron Bowie scored both goals in Hibernian's 2-1 victory over Dundee in their opening Scottish Premiership fixture, and the forward is expected to line up alongside Martin Boyle and Jamie McGrath in attack.

Partizan possible starting lineup:

Milosevic; Roganovic, Simic, Durdevic, Milic; Dragojevic, Ugresic, Karabelyov; Kostic, Milosevic, Trifunovic

Hibernian possible starting lineup:

Smith; O'Hora, Kiranga, Iredale; Cadden, Mulligan, Levitt, Obita; Boyle, McGrath; Bowie

We say: Partizan 1-1 Hibernian

Partizan will be the favourites to secure a win in their home leg, but Hibs will be boosted by their recent Scottish Premiership victory away from home, and we believe they will follow that up with a vital draw.

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