- Team form: Hibernian have won 2 and lost 3 of their last 5 games, a record that is better but also worse than Malisheva's (W2, D1, L2).
- Match situation: Hibernian lost 0-2 in the first leg of this tie, so they need to respond in some style to get back into the series.
- Malisheva momentum: Malisheva are on a two-match winning streak, including a 2-0 win over Hibernian at home and a 5-0 win over KS Vllaznia Shkoder.
Hibs need to recover from 2-0 defeat
Tactics and setup:
Hibernian FC have had a mixed start to the season under new boss David Gray, who has been in charge since 15th May 2024. His side have played a free-flowing style of soccer with a flexible back three, strong wing-backs and plenty of movement in the half-spaces. They've had some good moments but the defensive lapses have been costly.
Recent form:
Hibs enter this clash having won two and lost three of their last five matches, with their two most recent results being a 2-1 home win over Brondby I.F. in a Friendly Club Match and a 2-0 away defeat to FC Malisheva in UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026.
Malisheva will make life tough for Hibs
Thomas Brdaric has had a similarly short time at the helm of FC Malisheva, having taken charge on 21st June 2026. However, his side have looked organised, disciplined and dangerous in transition.
Malisheva have also won two, drew one and lost two of their last five games, but they're on a positive winning streak and that can be dangerous for any side, including the favorite Hibs, when it comes to a clash like this.
Uka is the main man up front
Player focus:
Kreshnik Uka is Malisheva's most dangerous player up front, having scored three goals in three UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 matches. He has also scored three of their eight goals in their last five in all competitions, so he will be a huge threat to this Hibs defence on Thursday.
Defence and form:
However, Malisheva have conceded ten goals in their six away matches across all competitions, so we think they will keep it relatively cagey in this contest, which should lead to a low-scoring affair.
- In fact, their overall record across all competitions in their last 10 matches is W4, L6, so it's been a streaky run in which the hosts have rarely had things their own way.
- Malisheva's last ten across all competitions is W5, D1, L4, which is a much better run than Hibernian's record from the same games.
Hibs should respond, but Malisheva will be competitive
Hibernian's home record is one win and three defeats from four games, so their own backyard has hardly been a fortress this season. However, we believe they should have enough to get a response to their 2-0 defeat in the first leg, so we're going with an Under 2.5 & Both Teams To Score – No bet.
Malisheva are a compact team that will try to frustrate, hit on the break and use their wing-backs to support their attacks, so the battle on the flanks should be a really interesting clash. Hibs will be keen to control the pace and open the game up, so it will depend on whether they can do that against a team that has shown themselves to be stubborn opponents.
