- Team form: Valur Reykjavik have won three, drawn one and lost six of their last 10 games in all competitions
- Opponents form: HSK Zrinjski Mostar have won five, drawn three and lost two of their last 10 matches in all competitions
- Home form: Valur have won one, drawn one and lost two of their four home matches in all competitions
Valur have a sharp edge, but Zrinjski are on the upswing
Form and results
Valur Reykjavik go into this UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 opener with HSK Zrinjski Mostar in strong form, having lost three consecutive matches. They began the new season with a 2-0 away defeat to FH Hafnarfjordur and were then beaten 3-2 at home by Fram Reykjavik.
The Icelandic side are in a bad slump and in need of a rhythm, but coach Hermann Hreidarsson's high-tempo pressing and vertical possession game will be aimed at turning regains into quick chances.
Tactics and key players
Simon Rožman's visitors have an extra edge to them in this match and have begun the season well with three wins and two draws in their last five, which means they are unbeaten.
Back the visitors to stay on the up
Zrinjski have conceded six goals in their six away games across all competitions – an average of 1.00 per game, which is not too bad – and Valur have scored seven goals in four home games, an average of 1.75, which shows the Icelandic hosts can be a threat.
The odds for Valur coming into this one at 1.8 look a bit on the short side given Zrinjski are 4.43 and the draw is 3.8, but with managerial turnover at Valur and Zrinjski's recently-appointed coach, there could be some early signs of a tactical change which might make a difference in this tie. Zrinjski to win or draw in the double chance market looks a sensible alternative and a much more generous price given the form of the two clubs, while the visitors have a stronger away record than Valur's at home.
They have been in a slump, so we'll go with the visiting team to get the win.
- Tryggvi Hrafn Haraldsson has been in good goalscoring form, netting two of their five goals in the last five matches, while Zrinjski will have to focus on the winger to stop him causing damage.
- Nemanja Bilbija has scored five of Zrinjski's eight goals in the past five and looks to be a true poacher in the penalty area, so he will be their main goal threat.
- Zrinjski play a high-intensity press and then drop back into a compact block, which means this could be a real clash of styles with Valur trying to overload the wings and Zrinjski staying compact.
- Valur's system can be either a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 with full backs going forward to create an overload in the wide areas.
