Rijeka vs Elfsborg Prediction and Betting Tips | August 8th 2024

Rijeka and Elfsborg go head-to-head at the Stadion Rujevica in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round clash on Thursday. The Swedish side have won their last three away matches and will be looking to take a first-leg advantage back home.

Rijeka kicked off the 2024-25 Croatian HNL campaign with a bang as they thrashed Lokomotiva Zagreb 4-0 in the season opener on Sunday.

In a one-sided affair at the Stadion Rujevica, Toni Fruk, Franjo Ivanovic, Veldin Hodza and Simun Butic all found the back of the net to hand the hosts a dream start to the season.

Rijeka now turn their attention to the Europa League qualifiers, where they scraped through the second round courtesy of a 1-0 aggregate victory over FC Corvinul Hunedoara.

Elfsborg, meanwhile, have enjoyed an impressive run in the qualifiers as they thrashed Pafos FC 8-2 over two legs in the first round before claiming a 3-0 aggregate win over Sheriff Tiraspol.

Back home, Oscar Hiljemark’s men were denied a fourth consecutive victory in the Swedish Allsvenskan as they fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Djurgarden on July 28.

Elfsborg have picked up 25 points from 17 games to sit seventh in the league table, six points adrift of the European qualification places.

Rijeka vs Elfsborg Head-To-Head and Key Numbers

This will be the first-ever meeting between Rijeka and Elfsborg, who will be looking to begin their rivalry on a positive note.
Elfsborg have won seven of their eight matches in all competitions this season, with the 2-1 defeat against Djurgarden in July being the exception.
Rijeka are unbeaten in their last four competitive games, picking up three wins and one draw since a 3-1 defeat against Dinamo Zagreb on May 22.
Elfsborg are on a run of three back-to-back away wins, scoring 11 goals and keeping one clean sheet since a 1-0 loss at Goteborg on June 1.
Rijeka have won nine of their 11 competitive home games in 2024, with their two defeats at the Stadion Rujevica coming at the hands of Dinamo Zagreb.

Rijeka vs Elfsborg Prediction

Elfsborg have breezed through the first two qualifying rounds and will be looking to secure a vital first-leg victory on Thursday. However, Rijeka have been near impenetrable at home this year and we are tipping the Croatian side to come away with a narrow win

Prediction: Rijeka 2-1 Elfsborg

Rijeka vs Elfsborg Betting Tips

Tip 1: Result - Rijeka to win

Tip 2: Over 4.5 cards - Yes (There have been five or more bookings in five of Elfsborg’s last seven outings)

Tip 3: Over 2.5 goals - Yes (There have also been at least three goals scored in six of the visitors’ last eight games)