- FK Shkendija 79 have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five matches in all competitions.
- Europa FC have won three and lost one of their four away matches, conceding just three goals.
- Shkendija are a 5-0 up on Europa FC ahead of the second leg of this UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 tie.
Shkendija should finish the job
The odds say it all for Thursday's UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 clash at City Stadium Tetovo in North Macedonia. Shkendija are the 3/10 favourites, Europa FC are a massive 83/10 outsiders and the draw is valued at 24/5.
There is no way that Europa FC can seriously contest this game, after being thrashed 5-0 away by Shkendija a week ago, so the only question is whether to take the home team to win or win to nil.
Artim Polozani has been in charge of Shkendija recently and has already overseen a ruthless performance that has put the Macedonians firmly in control of the tie. But after a 3-1 home win over FC Struga Trim & Lum last weekend, the hosts should be arriving with real momentum following that 5-0 Conference League shellacking of Europa FC.
Europe lost their European momentum
The visitors responded well to that shock defeat by thrashing FC Hound Dogs 6-0 at home, but the damage from the 0-5 battering they received from Shkendija has been done.
Michelle Di Piedi's men are a well-disciplined and well-structured team since January 2024. They have three wins, one draw and one defeat in their last five.
Europa FC tend to sit in a compact 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 shape, trying to nick chances on the break. Shkendija usually line up in a 4-2-3-1, using a double pivot and a central playmaker to spring quick vertical attacks.
The home side’s class should tell
This tactical clash should favour the hosts because they have the pace and the width to break through Europa's defensive line, and Di Piedi's side have to sit deep and try to survive the opening pressure.
Shkendija have won six, drawn one and lost three of their last ten in all competitions and in that time have scored an average of 3.00 goals per home game and conceded an average of 1.50 at their City Stadium home. Europa FC have three wins and a defeat in four away games this term, but again, we must note that the one defeat came in the first leg of this tie.
Shkendija's Fabrice Tamba is the danger man to watch as he has two goals in one Conference League game this season and looks sharp in the final third, so a Shkendija win to nil looks a better fit for Thursday's second-leg script than just the three points.
