Preview: Zilina vs Hajduk Split – prediction, team news, schedule

Hajduk Split will look to finish the job when they travel to Stadion pod Dubnom in Slovakia on Thursday night for the second leg of their Europa League first qualifying round tie against MSK Zilina.

The Slovakian team trailed 2-0 in the first leg in Croatia and face a tough challenge to topple this team, although a tie is far from over.

Game preview

MSK Zilina are seven-time Slovakian champions, but had to finish fourth in the league last season, ending the campaign 16 points behind champions Slovan Bratislava.

However, Pavol Stano’s men secured their place in the Europa League qualifiers by lifting the Slovak Cup for only the second time in the club’s history.

History offers little encouragement to the Yellow-Greens, who have never properly qualified for the Europa League, and now face an even tougher task after going two goals down after a draw.

Zilina also struggled before the new season, struggling to build momentum ahead of the new campaign.

The hosts have won their last five matches, losing two of them, and while friendly results can be taken with a pinch of salt, another defeat on Thursday will bring their European tour prematurely.

Roko Brajkovic broke the deadlock midway through the first half before Dali doubled Hajduk Split’s advantage moments later, as the Croatian produced a direct display to take control of the first leg.

Hajduk finished second in the HNL last season, finishing the campaign 18 points behind champions Dinamo Zagreb despite winning 20 league games and scoring 61 goals.

Those eight league defeats ended up being costly, preventing the Split-based club from continuing a genuine title challenge despite enjoying another solid domestic campaign.

Gonzalo Garcia’s side have also impressed in pre-season, winning all three of their friendlies without conceding a goal, and carried that momentum into their first leg win last week.

Although Hajduk heads to Slovakia with a healthy two-goal cushion, Garcia will be keen to guard against complacency, especially as his side have failed to win any of their last four competitive games.

Zilina Europa League form:

L

Zilina’s form (all competitions):

L

Hajduk Split Europa League form:

W

Hajduk Split form (all competitions):

W

Team News

© Imago / IMAGO / HANZA MEDIA

Pavol Stano is expected to stick with his preferred 3-4-3 formation, with Michael Fasko, Marko Roginic and Frantisek Kosa all set to retain their places in the starting line-up.

Fasko finished as Zilina’s top scorer with 14 goals last season, and the hosts will once again look to the experienced striker to encourage his return.

Hajduk’s summer signings have already made a good impression, with Alec Van Hoorenbeeck, Mathieu Acapandie and Dali all catching the eye in the first leg, the latter sealing his debut with a goal after the break.

Michele Sego, who netted 13 goals last season, is expected to lead the line again and will be eager to open his account in the new campaign in Europe.

Zilina may start the program:

Badzgon; Paliscak, Kasa, Narimanidze; Hranica, Bzdyl, Kacer, Bari; Fasko, Roginic, Kosa

Hajduk Split likely to start the show:

Silicon; Acapandie, Van Hoorenbeeck, Maresic, Hrgovic; Pukstas, Pajaziti; Melnjak Brajkovic, Dali; Sego

We say: Zilina 1-1 Hajduk Split

Zilina has no choice but to take the initiative to fight for a comeback, but the forward commitment could leave spaces for Hajduk to exploit in attack.

The hosts must produce a very competitive display in front of their fans, however Hajduk’s defensive organization and impressive recent form suggest the Croatian side have enough quality to avoid defeat and safely advance to the next round.

For data analysis of the most likely results, score lines and more for this game please click here.