Rijeka – Sarpsborg 08 Prediction & Picks (16.08.2018)

Rijeka and Sarpsborg 08 measured forces in Nogometno igralište Rujevica, in a second leg of this phase of the UEFA Europa League (3rd Qualifying Round), after a draw by (1-1) in the first leg. In this game the home factor may be decisive, since the Rijeka presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor.

Rijeka:

The home team comes to this match back in advantage, after the draw was by (1-1) in the first leg, so a draw may be enough to get the qualification. This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 7 wins, 4 draws and 4 losses in away matches, with 21 goals scored and 16 conceded; against 14 wins and 1 draw at their stadium, with 57 goals scored and 8 suffered. In the last match that they disputed, for 1. HNL, they tied with Hajduk Split at home (1-1). In the last 10 home matches Rijeka has 9 wins and 1 draw. Their offense has scored regularly, as they have always scored at least one goal in the last 10 games. In their away matches there is a tendency for goals, since 47 of the last 54 matches have ended with Over 1,5 goals. There is 1 period that stands out in the last 4 home matches for all competitions: they have scored 3 of their 7 goals between minutes (61′-75 ‘).

Rijeka comes into this game with a draw against Hajduk Split, in a match for the Croatian Championship. We remember that the Croatians got a 1-1 draw in the first leg match against Sarpsburg, that is, they are ahead because of the goal scored away from home. In this home game, coach Matjaz Kek is expected to play in 4-2-3-1, privileging possession of the ball and organized attacks, especially through the flanks: Zoran Kvric is a very fast and excellent player in the Offensive transition There are no absences of weight for this game.

Sarpsborg 08:

The away team comes to this second leg at a disadvantage, because despite the draw in the first leg they suffered 1 goal at home. This is a team that shows similar results at home and abroad, so it is not usually affected by the home factor, as in the last 30 matches they register 7 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses in away matches; against 10 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses at their stadium. The team comes to this match after a home victory over Lillestrøm SK by (2-0). In the last 10 away matches Sarpsborg 08 has won 5, tied 1 and lost 4. Their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored at least one goal in each of the last 5 matches for this competition. In their away matches there is a tendency for goals, since 34 of the last 49 matches have ended with Over 2,5 goals. This is a team that usually scores many times first: opened the scoring in 12 of its last 15 games, of these 12 came to rest in advantage in 8 and managed to maintain the advantage until the end of the 90 ‘in 8.

Sarpsburg comes into this game with a win over Lillestrón, 2-0, in a match for the Norwegian Championship. We remember that the visitors no longer lose four consecutive games in several competitions. The set guided by Geir Bakke plays, normally, in 4-4-2, being Muhammed and Mortensen the most offensive references of the visiting team. Tobias Heintz is one of the great highlights of Sarpsburg, owning great speed and technical quality. Apparently, there are no absences to register for this game.