HNK Rijeka vs Derry City Predictions

• Derry lost to CSKA Sofia in Europa League qualifying
• Rijeka have won all four of their pre-season games
• Derry have conceded in their last four European games

Both teams can strike at Stadion HNK

Derry lost out to Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia in Europa League qualifying and now drop down to Conference League qualifying, where they face what looks a tougher test against Croatia’s Rijeka.

Rijeka should be too good for the Irish outfit and that is reflected in the odds, but backing both teams to score at close to 2/1 offers plenty of appeal.

Derry were able to score in both legs against CSKA, hitting three goals in total, and in general they’ve been in good form in front of goal and have gone nine games without drawing a blank.

This is Rijeka’s season opener so they may need a bit of time to get fully up to speed, and they conceded exactly one goal per game in the Croatian league last season. They also have a new manager in place as former Slovenia boss Matjaz Kek has taken charge and it may take time for the players to gel under a new coach.

A goal is probably as good as it will get for the Candystripes as Rijeka are a level above the visitors. The hosts should be able to win fairly comfortably and a 3-1 Rijeka win has a chance.