- Shkendija finished 2nd in the Macedonian First Football League with 74 points, scoring 67 goals and conceding 30. Europa FC finished 3rd in the Gibraltar National League Championship Group with 56 points.
- Shkendija are the clear odds-on favorite for this tie and have a deeper squad and higher average level of soccer than Europa. However, Europa have been stingy at home and dangerous on the break, so Shkendija might not have an easy time controlling the game.
Shkendija a short priced favourite to beat Europa in Gibraltar
There is no head to head record between these clubs to inform this prediction so we will have to look elsewhere for guidance in this UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 first leg contest.
FK Shkendija 79 are the overwhelming favourites at 1.23, with Europa FC coming in at 9.5 and the draw at 5.75. These prices are not enticing, but there are a few avenues to explore for alternative bets.
One, we will take FK Shkendija 79 to come away with a lead from their first ever competitive clash with Europa FC, but two, the best way to play this is the win and under 3.5 goals market. The FK Shkendija 79 win and under 3.5 goals selection is a pretty tight play, but there is enough quality and energy on their side to make it happen.
Shkendija are a higher-level club than Europa FC
Artim Polozani arrives as the new boss of Shkendija. His team are the obvious higher-level side in this match-up and will want to continue their direct, front-foot identity - high press, lots of rotations and plenty of running into the final third. The away side scored 67 and conceded 30 last season in the stronger Macedonian First League, and there should be no drop off in intensity from them.
This is the first competitive meeting between these two clubs so we don't have a great deal to go on, but there are some pretty clear differences in style that will play into Shkendija's favour on Thursday.
Europa are a compact, disciplined unit under Michele Di Piedi's direction, who will get them to defend their shape, transition from defence to attack and utilise their wide areas as outlets. Liam Walker is the heartbeat of the team, dictating tempo, distribution and dead ball situations from his midfield position. Aldair Ruiz gives them a physical presence up top, while Marc Vales helps to control the backline against waves of Shkendija pressure.
Swerve the draw market and take Shkendija to nick it
This game should be close as Europa are in solid form, with four wins, one draw and just one defeat from their last five competitive matches. However, Shkendija are a step up in class, even if their recent form has been a little up and down with two defeats before two wins and a draw in their last five.
Shkendija can be the most dangerous at both ends of the pitch and we will have them for the win in this first leg match-up. A 0-1 scoreline looks the most natural conclusion to this fixture, which can be covered in the Shkendija & under 3.5 goals bet.
Baboucarr Gaye is a quality keeper to have on your team, Arbin Zejnullai and Reshat Ramadani can run the midfield and create space for Besart Ibraimi, the talismanic finisher, to take charge when the chances come in waves.
