- Odds: Hajduk Split are the clear favorites at 1.42, with Zalgiris Vilnius at 7.44.
- Recent result: Hajduk are coming off a 5-2 win over Zalgiris Vilnius 0 days ago.
- Form: Zalgiris Vilnius are in decent shape, with 3 wins from their last 5 games.
Hajduk can edge it again with Zalgiris in tow
Hajduk Split are the rightful favorites for the UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 clash against FK Zalgiris Vilnius at Stadion Poljud on Thursday. Hajduk boss Gonzalo Garcia, who took over on 1 July 2025, has got his team playing an organised, controlled and aggressive game with a compact 4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3 setup that is built around a suffocating press and a quick transition into possession.
The plan is to flood the midfield, get the full-backs up and cause trouble for the opposition with quick turnovers high up the pitch and sustained pressure at the back. Garcia's men are no strangers to goals, with 3.25 goals per game at home in all competitions and 1.00 goals per game against in their current European run. Hajduk's recent form is patchy, with 2 wins and 3 defeats from their last 5, but the 5-2 demolition of Zalgiris Vilnius just 0 days ago was a statement result for Hajduk Split and one that should be enough for them to get the result in this return leg.
Lithuanians are more than a pushover
Setup and approach
Andrius Skerla's Zalgiris Vilnius are a different proposition altogether. Skerla took over on 15 April 2026 and has set his men up to be a pragmatic and organised unit, sitting compact at the back and keeping a midfield to shield the defense.
Form and key player
They are a better bet than their 7.44 price suggests, having won 6 of their last 10 in all competitions, drawn 1 and lost only 3. The Lithuanians have been solid on the road in all competitions, with 3 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats from their last 6 trips and have scored 9 goals in that time.
Zalgiris' 7-2 home win over Dinamo Tbilisi was a 100% performance and they got another 2-3 victory in their trip to FC Hegelmann Litauen Kaunas, which is a pretty decent effort against fellow qualifiers for this competition. Zalgiris' danger man is Nikola Petkovic, who has scored 6 goals in 5 UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 matches and 7 goals in 5 games over the last run of games that has seen them storm into contention.
Hajduk have more of everything
Zalgiris Vilnius are no mugs, but Hajduk Split have a little bit more in all areas. If they execute their game plan effectively, they should have enough to edge this one and put Zalgzis out, but the Lithuanians could snag a goal in this one.
- Garcia's plan should suit the matchup, as he will look to smother Zalgiris in possession and pressure them into mistakes when they have the ball.
- Skerla will look to keep things tight, but the main problem is that Hajduk have more of what Zalgiris have and more of it.
- The smart angle is to take Hajduk to win and both teams to score, with BTTS-Yes coming in at 1.7 and Over 2.5 goals at 1.5.
- Hajduk's main threat is Michele Sego, who has 2 goals in 1 UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 match and 3 of Hajduk's 9 in their last 5 in all competitions.
