Zrinjski Mostar vs Utrecht Predictions

Utrecht could well end up regretting not taking the time to play some pre-season friendlies before entering the Europa League qualifiers as they could only manage a draw at home to Zrinjski of Bosnia and Herzegovina last week and could see their time in this competition come to an abrupt end on Thursday night.

The Dutch side had 58% of the overall possession during the 1st leg, along with seven more corners and fifteen more shots than their guests, but it was a thirty-fourth-minute effort from Govedarica that saw Zrinjksi lead by a goal to nil at the interval. Utrecht responded well in the second half and drew level on the hour mark through one of their best performers of last season, Kerk. The hosts piled on the pressure in the last half an hour and the visitors will have been pleased to have heard the final whistle blow with the sides level at one goal apiece.

Govedarica has now scored three goals during qualifying and is certainly one of the Zrinjski players that Utrecht need to mark tightly or risk going out of the competitions much earlier than expected. Kerk scored Utrecht’s one and only European goal so far this season and with the new Eredivisie season starting this weekend the visitors are at risk of having a poor start to the season due to a severe lack of match fitness.

The form and performances of both clubs heading into Thursday’s match and the result of the 1st leg, all point towards under 2.5 goals being scored this week and Zrinjski narrowly winning to progress through to the next round. Under 2.5 goals were scored in the 1st leg between these two clubs which ended in a 1-1 draw. Zrinjski’s last three games have all produced under 2.5 goals, while four of Utrecht’s last six matches have also produced under 2.5 goals. Zrinjski have kept three clean sheets in their last five matches, two of which have arrived in their last two home games, which is why we’re backing a 1-0 win for the hosts on Thursday.

We’re confident that Thursday’s 2nd leg will see under 2.5 goals being scored and have predicted a final scoreline of 1-0 to Zrinjski. The hosts have a good record of wins and clean sheets during July and, while Utrecht head into the game as the form favourites, Zrinjski have the home advantage and more match fitness which should be enough to see the Bosnia and Herzegovina team progress through to the next qualifying round.