- NSI Runavík have won two and drawn three of their last five games, beating Hamrun Spartans 1-2 in UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 last week.
- FC Koper have won eight, drawn one and lost one of their last 10 matches in all competitions, scoring 20 goals.
- Petur Knudsen is Runavík's major threat, netting two in two in this season's UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 and three in the last five overall.
Koper's class and composure should see them through
The market for this game is right, but just about, with FC Koper the clear favourite at 1.76, the draw at 3.9 and NSI Runavík at 4.52. The Faroe Islanders are capable, but not in the same class as Koper and this will be a tough test of their mettle.
That said, Sigurdur Ragnar Eyjolfsson has done a fantastic job since taking the helm on 1 January 2026, turning Runavík into a high-tempo, direct team that can burst up the pitch and press hard when they need to. The result of this is a 6-3-1 record in their last 10 games in all competitions and an impressive average of 2.10 goals per game.
However, Koper are flying even higher with five straight wins, including yesterday's 0-2 success over NK Nafta Lendava in Prva Liga 2026/2027. Zoran Zeljković has given them a structure since taking over on 9 October 2025 and they now play with a much more patient, compact style that sees them set up a disciplined block, control the tempo and pick and choose when to press.
Clash of styles could be tasty
This feels like a Conference League tie that is competitive, but the value of backing Koper is apparent because of their greater class and their superior numbers in recent matches.
Runavík's last three matches show they are a tough nut to crack, though, with a 0-0 draw against KI Klaksvík in the Premier League 2026, a 1-1 draw with Hamrun Spartans in UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 and a 1-2 victory over Hamrun. Koper's last three results are 1-0 Aluminij, 1-2 NK Celje and 0-2 NK Nafta Lendava and demonstrate a control and edge that should see them through this clash.
This match will have the feel of a Conference League affair and should be a interesting chess match between a team that attacks directly and a team that controls the play. But the momentum is with Koper and we're backing them to continue their run of results at Djupumyra Stadium on Thursday.
