Preview: Zrinjski Mostar vs FC Utrecht - prediction, team news, lineups

In the first leg of the Europa League's final qualifying round, Zrinjski Mostar will host FC Utrecht at Stadion Bijeli Brijeg on Thursday.

The hosts overcame Icelandic opponents Breidablik 3-2 on aggregate in the previous round, while the Dutch visitors beat Servette 5-2 on aggregate in the prior round in August.

Match preview

Zrinjski Mostar had drawn the first leg against Breidablik on August 7 but emerged as 2-1 winners in the second on August 14, a game in which they restricted their opponents to just two attempts on target.

The home side began their league campaign in the Bosnia-Herzegovinian top flight on August 17, drawing 0-0 with Siroki Brijeg, keeping their first clean sheet in six matches.

If boss Igor Stimac were to lead his side to the Europa League, it would be just the second time this century that his team have reached the league or group phase of a major European competition.

Plemici also played four Champions League qualifying games - they were eliminated in the second round - and the team have only triumphed in three of their seven fixtures this term, drawing twice and losing once.

Zrinjski Mostar have been held to stalemates in each of their past three at home, scoring three and conceding three in that time.

The visitors beat Servette 2-1 on August 14, but they were already leading 5-1 on aggregate by the time the Swiss side netted a consolation penalty in the 80th minute.

FC Utrecht played their second Eredivisie match of the campaign on Sunday, suffering a 2-1 defeat against Sparta Rotterdam, a result that left them 10th in the table with three points.

Utreg have faced Zrinjski Mostar on two occasions, with the visitors beaten 3-2 on aggregate by their hosts when they faced each other in the second round of the 2019-20 Europa League qualifiers.

Utrecht's loss against Sparta Rotterdam was the first time that they had failed to win in six fixtures in 2025-26, with Ron Jans's side scoring at least three goals four times.

The visitors have won two of their three away trips this season, but they only achieved victory in two of their final nine matches on the road in 2024-25, though they only lost twice in that period.

Zrinjski Mostar Europa League form:

Zrinjski Mostar form (all competitions):

FC Utrecht Europa League form:

FC Utrecht form (all competitions):

Team News

Zrinjski Mostar striker Nemanja Bilbija scored in the second leg against Breidablik, and he will hope that attacking midfielder Tomislav Kis can supply him with more chances in front of goal.

Igor Savic and Antonio Ivancic could be paired together in a double pivot ahead of central defenders Slobodan Jakovljevic and Hrvoje Barisic.

Utrecht will have to contend with the absence of midfielder Rafik El Arguioui, making Victor Jensen and Alonzo Engwanda the most probable candidates to feature in the middle of the pitch.

Defender Mike van der Hoorn is likely to play alongside centre-back Siebe Horemans in a four-man defence.

Forward Adrian Blake may start on the left of attack, while Miguel Rodriguez could appear on the right, with the duo flanking Noah Ohio.

Zrinjski Mostar possible starting lineup:

Karacic; Memija, Jakovljevic, Barisic, Mamic; Savic, Ivancic; Pranjic, Kis, Mikic; Bilbija

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

Barkas; El Karouani, Horemans, Van der Hoorn, Viergever; Engwanda, Jensen; Rodrigues, Zechiel, Blake; Ohio

We say: Zrinjski Mostar 0-1 FC Utrecht

Zrinjski Mostar's performances of late have been mixed, and they have struggled to keep their opponents at bay.

Utrecht's defeat last time out was their first of the season, but they had been outstanding prior to the loss, and they should be seen as favourites on Thursday.

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