Utrecht vs Zrinjski Mostar Predictions

Utrecht are the big favourites with the bookmakers to win Thursday’s 1st leg, which is hardly a surprise given the fact that they play in a higher quality league on a regular basis, possess a stronger squad, and have more European experience than their Bosnia and Herzegovina guests. Zrinjski is the former home of Luka Modric, who had an impressive loan spell at the club during the 2003/04 season, and the team have six league titles and one domestic cup win in their 114-year history. Now though, the club fails to boast any household names and is comprised mostly of players from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, with a couple from nearby Serbia and Montenegro, and one player representing Nigeria.

Utrecht’s last match, the 2nd leg of the Europa League playoff final against Vitesse, set them up to face Krinjski, as Dessers’ first-half effort was added to during the second forty-five by Gustafson to make the aggregate score 3-1. Zrinjski were beaten in their opening league game of the new season 1-0 away at Sarajevo but that match did arrive just three days after the club had defeated Akademija Pandev 3-0 at home to wrap up a 6-0 aggregate victory.

The form and performances of both teams heading into Thursday’s 1st leg, along with the stature of both clubs and the quality of opposition they face on a regular basis, suggests that both teams will score and that Utrecht are the most likely winners. Utrecht haven’t played any matches since their Europa League playoff final 2nd leg against Vitesse at the end of May, while Zrinjski have already started their new season and have been playing friendlies and qualifying matches during July, so match fitness should not be an issue. Both teams scored in three of Utrecht’s last six matches and Zrinjski have only failed to score in two of their last six matches. Utrecht are unbeaten in their last five matches and have picked up four wins during that period, which is why we’re backing a 2-1 win for the hosts on Thursday.

Utrecht haven’t played in the qualifiers so far and therefore have no goals in this competition as of yet, but both Govedarica and Mandic have scored two goals each in the Europa League this season for Zrinjski and will be dreaming of adding to their tallies against a team of Utrecht’s quality. We’re confident that both teams will score on Thursday and have predicted a final scoreline of 2-1 to Utrecht. The only thing stopping us backing a more comfortable victory for the hosts is the fact they haven’t played any friendlies since qualifying for the Europa League back in May, while their guests have been involved in friendlies and have started their new domestic campaign this month and will be up to speed.