Rijeka vs Corvinul Hunedoara Prediction: HNK Rijeka is expected to secure a 1-0 victory over FC Corvinul Hunedoara in their Europa League qualifier, leveraging their home advantage and superior experience to progress to the next round.
The UEFA Europa League second qualifying round concludes on Thursday as Croatian side HNK Rijeka host Romanian underdogs FC Corvinul Hunedoara at Stadion Rujevica. With the tie delicately poised after a goalless first leg, both teams will be eager to secure progression to the next round.
Match Details
Date: August 1, 2024
Kickoff: 18:00 UTC
Venue: Stadion Rujevica, Rijeka, Croatia
Match Preview
After a stalemate in Romania, Rijeka return home with a slight advantage. The Croatian side dominated possession in the first leg but failed to break down a resolute Corvinul defense. Now, with home support behind them, Rijeka will be keen to assert their superiority and avoid an upset.
Corvinul Hunedoara, meanwhile, have already exceeded expectations by reaching this stage. The second-tier Romanian outfit eliminated Hungarian side Paksi in the previous round and will be dreaming of another giant-killing act.
Rijeka vs Corvinul Hunedoara Lineups and Formations
Predicted Rijeka Lineup (Possible 4-3-3): Obregón, Galešić, Čabraja, Janković, Selahi, Bogojević, Pašalić, Zlomislić, Radeljić, Petrovič, Hodža.
Manager Željko Sopić is likely to stick with the 4-3-3 formation that has served Rijeka well. The experienced Niko Galešić will marshal the defense, while Jorge Obregón leads the line up front.
Predicted Corvinul Hunedoara Lineup (Possible 4-3-3): Roger, Iacob, Hrezdac, Lefter, Velisar, Lica, Buş, Ubbink, Neacșa, Pîrvulescu, Manolache.
Florin Maxim’s side may opt for a similar setup to the first leg, with Sergiu Buş spearheading the attack. The Romanian underdogs will look to stay compact and hit on the counter.
Injuries and Unavailable Players
HNK Rijeka:
Bruno Goda – Out (Unspecified injury)
FC Corvinul Hunedoara:
No reported injuries or suspensions
Where to Watch Rijeka vs Corvinul Hunedoara Live?
The match will be broadcast live in Croatia on MAXtv To Go and MAX Sport 1. Romanian viewers can catch the action on Digi Sport 2 Romania and Prima Sport 1, among other channels.
Live Stream and TV Schedule for Other Countries:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: Moja TV, Arena Sport 3P
- Croatia: MAXtv To Go, MAX Sport 1
- Romania: Digi Online, Orange TV Go, Prima Play, Digi Sport 2 Romania, Prima Sport 1
International viewers should check their local listings.
Who Will Win?
Rijeka enter the match as strong favorites, especially on home turf. The Croatian side’s superior European experience and higher domestic standing make them likely to progress. However, Corvinul have already proven themselves capable of springing a surprise.
Rijeka vs Corvinul Hunedoara Prediction: HNK Rijeka 1-0 FC Corvinul Hunedoara
Key Stats and Form
- Rijeka are unbeaten in their last 4 matches, with 3 draws and 1 win
- Corvinul Hunedoara have lost 3 of their last 5 games across all competitions
- This is only the second-ever meeting between the two sides
Head-to-Head
The only previous encounter between these teams was last week’s 0-0 draw in Romania.
Current Standings
As this is a qualifying round, there are no relevant league standings to report. However, it’s worth noting that Rijeka finished 3rd in the Croatian HNL last season, while Corvinul Hunedoara compete in Romania’s second tier.
Latest News
Rijeka will be eager to kickstart their European campaign after narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification. For Corvinul, this represents their first European adventure in over four decades, adding extra significance to the tie.
The winner of this matchup will face either Sheriff Tiraspol or Elfsborg in the third qualifying round, moving one step closer to the Europa League group stages.
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