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

Battling to make the Europa League's playoff round, Zrinjski Mostar will welcome Breidablik to Bijeli Brijeg Stadium on Thursday for the first leg of their third qualifying round tie.

Both Plemici and Blikar last made the group stage or league phase of a European tournament back in 2023-24.

Match preview

Igor Stimac's Zrinjski Mostar were entered into the Champions League's first qualifying round after they won the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2024-25.

Plemici met San Marino's Virtus in the opening stage, beating them home and away - 2-1 and 2-0 respectively - and triumphing 4-1 on aggregate.

However, Stilmac's side were eliminated by Slovakia's Slovan Bratislava in the second round, losing 4-0 in the first leg and drawing 2-2 in the return fixture, but the manager will be pleased that his team gave a good account of themselves against a team ranked 81 places higher by UEFA's coefficient.

Given that they are playing the first leg at home this week, the hosts will take confidence from their impressive record at Bijeli Brijeg Stadium that features only one competitive defeat since March 11, as well as seven wins and one draw in that period.

Last season, Zrinjski Mostar took part in the Conference League process, and while they fell just short of making the league phase, they reached a European playoff round for the third consecutive campaign, and they will be hoping to make it once again this year.

Meanwhile, Halldor Arnason's Breidablik lifted Iceland's Besta deild karla in 2024, earning them a spot in the Champions League's first qualifying round.

Blikar knocked out Albanian side Egnatia in the first round despite losing 1-0 in the first leg, making an emphatic comeback with a 5-0 win on their own turf in the second.

Unfortunately for Arnason's men, they themselves were dropped down into the Europa League after being beaten home and away by Polish club Lech Poznan, who emerged 8-1 victors on aggregate thanks to a staggering 7-1 first-leg triumph and a comparatively tame 1-0 second-leg win.

Looking to see their team bounce back on Thursday and make the most of their continental chances, fans of the visitors would be forgiven for harbouring doubts considering that they have failed to win any of their last four away games, losing two and drawing two on the road since late June.

In fact, Breidablik have not won any of their last four matches overall, earning two points in the league while tasting defeat in both of their European clashes, and they will need to defy their current form if they are to reach the playoff round in UEFA competition for just the second time in the club's history.

Zrinjski Mostar form (all competitions):

Breidablik form (all competitions):

Team News

Zrinjski Mostar could be without winger Karlo Abramovic this week after he was substituted off with an injury against Slovan, and Leo Mikic could take his place in the XI.

Up top, striker Nemanja Bilbija, who scored in the Champions League draw last time out, should start once again, supported by Jakov Pranjic and Marijan Cavar.

As for Breidablik, they may be missing right-winger Aron Bjarnason on Thursday due to an injury he picked up against Lech Poznan, and if he is unavailable, the manager could turn to Valgeir Valgeirsson.

At the heart of Arnason's backline, centre-backs Damir Muminovic and Asgeir Orrason will be desperate to avoid a repeat of the 8-1 aggregate scoreline from their last European tie, so expect the duo - flanked by full-backs Arnor Jonsson and Gabriel Snaer - to be particularly cautious.

Zrinjski Mostar possible starting lineup:

Karacic; Susic, Sunnis, Masic, Mamic; Surdanovic, Savic; Mikic, Cavar, Pranjic; Bilbija

Breidablik possible starting lineup:

A. Einarsson; Jonsson, Muminovic, Orrason, Snaer; V. Einarsson, Gunnlaugsson, Steindorsson; Valgeirsson, Kristinsson, Omarsson

We say: Zrinjski Mostar 2-1 Breidablik

Zrinjski Mostar have proven their resilience at home in recent months, and their fans will be expecting to go into the second leg on even terms at a minimum.

Meanwhile, Breidablik have failed to win any of their last four on the road, and they may have to settle for keeping the scoreline close enough to attempt a comeback in the return fixture.

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