After losing 5-3 on aggregate to CSKA Sofia in Europa League qualifying, Derry City now find themselves on a journey to instead reach the Conference League proper.
That journey may be equally short-lived, however, as they have been drawn against Rijeka, who have made the eye-catching managerial appointment of former Slovenia boss Matjaz Kek.
The Croatian side are strong favourites to win the first leg of the pair’s Conference League second qualifying round tie and they may prove too good for a Derry outfit who have struggled throughout 2026.
Rijeka v Derry City Tips Summary
Best Bet - Rijeka to win to nil @ 4/7
Alternative Bet - Half Time/Full Time - Draw/Rijeka @ 11/4
Bet Builder - Second half to be higher scoring, Over 10 corners, One or both teams not to score @ 13/2
Rijeka v Derry City Prediction
Best Bet: Rijeka to win to nil @ 4/7
Rijeka will be hoping Kek’s latest spell at the helm is as successful as his first, which saw him lead HNK to a league title, two cups and 164 wins in 275 games.
His most recent exploits suggest he still has it, as he led Slovenia to draws with strong Denmark, Serbia, England and Portugal sides at Euro 2024, before eventually being knocked out by the latter on penalties.
That ability to frustrate top sides should prove handy if Rijeka progress in Europe and it is also likely to see them keep Derry at bay on Thursday.
Including friendlies, Rijeka have kept five clean sheets in six games, and they should have far too much for Derry, who are without a win in seven away matches.
Alternative Bet: Half Time/Full Time - Draw/Rijeka @ 11/4
While Kek and Rijeka are fancied to dominate, this marks their first competitive game since May and it might take them a while to get going.
Derry, in contrast, have been in the thick of the action since January, so expect them to use their added energy to chase every ball in the early stages of Thursday’s first leg.
Three losses in four games suggests the efforts of Tiernan Lynch’s side will go unrewarded, however, and Rijeka should prevail with a stronger second-half showing.
Rijeka v Derry City Bet Builder Tip
Second half to be higher scoring
Over 10 corners
One or both teams not to score
Pays 13/2
With a slow start expected, backing there to be more goals in the second half rates a solid play. Derry’s two Europa League qualifiers against CSKA Sofia produced three first-half goals but five after the break, and it should be a similar story in Rijeka.
Those defeats for Derry also produced a mammoth 26 corners, so stick with the form again. Each of those games featured at least 11 corners and the tally may soar at Stadion Rujevica, where Rijeka have been awarded 16 flag-kicks across their last two home matches.
Derry did well to net three times during their failed Europa League qualifying campaign - they are unlikely to be so potent in Croatia. Rijeka will be tough to break down under the supremely experienced Kek, and City are set to blank.
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Key Match Stats
None of Rijeka’s last seven games have seen both teams score
The Croatian outfit have kept four clean sheets in their last six home matches
Derry have gone seven away games without a win, losing four
City have won only eight of their 29 matches in 2026
Rijeka conceded only 36 goals in 36 league games last term
HNK lost just two of their 10 2025/26 Conference League fixtures
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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.
