Hibernian are four games away from the UEFA Conference League league phase, but the Scottish side won't be looking any further than the first leg of their third qualifying round tie at home to Shkendija.
David Gray's side are odds-on to qualify for the play-off round, though that seems to make light of the threat posed by the North Macedonians.
Shkendija, who beat Steaua Bucharest home and away just over 12 months ago in in ill-fated bid to make the UEFA Champions League league phase, are no mugs and are likely to be a handful at Easter Road.
Hibernian v Shkendija Tips Summary
Best Bet - Both teams to score @ 11/10
Alternative Bet - Shkendija to score in 2nd half @ 13/8
Bet Builder - Over 2 goals, First half - Draw & Half with most goals - 2nd @ 10/1
Hibernian v Shkendija Prediction
Best Bet: Both teams to score @ 11/10
Shkendija boss Artim Pollozhani has highlighted the fact his side have created plenty of chances and scored 10 goals in four matches to get to this point of the UEFA Conference League.
But he is also acutely aware that his team conceded three goals against Bravo in the last round, losing the away leg 2-1.
They like to play out from the back and at this early stage of the season with new players bedding in all the time that comes with risk.
Hibs have not kept a clean sheet in nine, but will assume they have to take an advantage back to Skopje next week.
They beat Malisheva 4-1 in the home leg in the previous round and both teams to score at evens looks to be one convincing way into this tie.
Alternative Bet: Shkendija to Score in 2nd Half @ 13/8
Six of Shkendija's 10 goals in Europe this season have been scored by substitutes, with seven goals coming in the second half of their four matches.
That tells us that the North Macedonians are not short of forward options off the bench and are a goalscoring threat.
Hibs have conceded in the second half of each of their three games to date and are set to do so again on Thursday.
Hibernian v Shkendija Bet Builder Tip
Over 2 goals
First half - Draw
Half with most goals - 2nd
Pays 10/1
Shkendija have been level at half-time in their last three European ties over the past few weeks.
Hibs would love a fast start, as they had at home to Malisheva, but Shkendija are a tougher opponent and take a chance on the first half being a draw as the first leg of your Easter Road Bet Builder.
There have been 10 goals in Hibs' three games to date, 13 in Shkendija's four, so there is no hesitation in putting up over two goals.
And finally, go for the second half being the highest scoring half. Seven of Shkendija's 10 goals so far this term have come after the break.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Hibernian beat Kosovo side Malisheva in the second qualifying round, losing 2-0 away before romping to a 4-1 success at Easter Road
Macedonian League runners-up Shkendija beat Slovenian side Bravo 4-3 on aggregate in the second qualifying round
Hibs opened their Scottish Premiership season on Sunday and lost 2-1 at home to Motherwell
Shkendija played eight away matches in Europe last season losing six of them - their sole win was 2-1 at Steaua Bucharest in a UEFA Champions League qualifier
Hibs have not managed a clean sheet in any of their last nine matches
Seven of Shkendija's eight Conference League matches in the 2025/26 campaign produced two goals or under
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
