The first leg of the 2025/26 Conference League round of 16 tie between Hrvatski Nogometni Klub Rijeka (Croatia) and Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace (France) will take place on 12 March at the Rujevica Stadium. Hrvatski Nogometni Klub Rijeka vs Shakhtar Donetsk: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Hrvatski Nogometni Klub Rijeka
The Croatians have suffered just one defeat in the current campaign – back in matchday one of the league phase. That allowed the home team to finish 16th in the standings (alongside two wins and three draws). It is also worth noting that their games (together with Shelbourne) have been the lowest-scoring – with an average of 1.15 goals. In the knockout round play-offs, Hrvatski Nogometni Klub Rijeka came through Omonia comfortably, beating the Cypriots in both legs (1:0 and 3:1). Interestingly, the Balkan side are featuring in the Conference League for the fifth time, but have reached the play-offs for the first time. In fact, progressing to the round of 16 is the first time in the club’s history they have made it this far in continental competition.
- The Croatians are unbeaten in seven matches in this tournament (four wins and three draws).
- Hrvatski Nogometni Klub Rijeka have not conceded in their last five Conference League games.
- No more than two goals have been scored in six of the Balkan side’s last eight matches in this European competition.
Potential Hrvatski Nogometni Klub Rijeka Lineup (3-2-4-1)*
Martin Zlomislic – Ante Majstorovic, Teo Barisic, Mladen Devetak – Alfonso Barco, Merveil Ndockyt – Ante Orec, Justas Lasickas, Toni Fruk, Tiago Dantas – Ante Juric.
Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace
The team had been absent from European competition for six years, but at the first attempt they managed to reach the spring stage of the Conference League. Interestingly, this is only the second time this century the French side have made it to the round of 16 of a European competition (in 2005/06 – in the UEFA Cup). The club went through the league phase unbeaten, recording five wins and one draw to finish top of the table. That saw Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace progress directly to this stage.
- The French side are on a four-match winning run in this tournament.
- Both teams to score has landed in six of Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace’s last seven Conference League matches.
- The team have scored at least two goals in five of their last seven games in this European competition.
Potential Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Mike Penders – Ben Chilwell, Ismael Doukoure, Andrew Omobamidele, Lucas Hojsberg – Abdul Ouattara, Samir El-Mourabet – Marshal Godo, Julio Enciso, Jasim Yasin – David Fofana.
Referee
Vasilios Fotias (Greece)
Matches – 11 (International matches, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 40;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.6;
Red cards shown – 3;
Fouls per match on average – 23;
Penalties – 27%.
Hrvatski Nogometni Klub Rijeka vs Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace: Match Prediction
A very intriguing match will take place in Croatia, where two sides with solid unbeaten runs in the Conference League will meet. It is difficult to pick a winner in the first leg: the home team have not lost on their own ground in this tournament for eight matches (six wins and two draws), while the visitors have won all four of their away games in this European competition. For that reason, we should focus on the attacking output of both teams.
Hrvatski Nogometni Klub Rijeka have not left their home stadium without scoring in eight of their last nine Conference League matches. Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace, meanwhile, have found the net in each of their last four away games in this European competition. At the same time, the French side have conceded in three of their last four matches on the road in this tournament. As such, both teams to score looks the best option, at least for the first leg of this two-legged tie.
Prediction: Both teams to score – Yes
* For each team, the starting line-up from their previous match is shown.
