- HNK Rijeka have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five matches in all competitions. Derry City have won two, drawn three and lost five of their last ten matches in all competitions. Derry are seeking their first away win this season, having played three away matches across all competitions (0-1-2).
Candy Stripes must validate new tactical project
Candy canes have been flying since Matjaz Kek took charge of HNK Rijeka, who have adopted a dynamic 4-3-3 system, based on high pressing and fast-paced ball progression. Kek's side can also shift into a more compact 4-2-3-1 or even 4-1-4-1 shape, making them difficult to pin down and difficult to deal with when the visitors fall back.
This UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 tie between the Croatian side HNK Rijeka and Derry City is a big deal for both clubs and will be a massive opportunity to generate revenue and momentum if the hosts can validate their new tactical philosophy with a result.
Rijeka are the clear bookmakers' fancy in this fixture and there is no real argument that they are 27/100 favourites to beat a Derry City team that is 79/10. The draw at 29/5 is also big enough, but the smart call here is to back the home side in the outright markets and for the game to develop into the kind of controlled home performance the odds imply.
Candy Striped Canes should sting Derry City
Rijeka's last two results were a 0-0 away draw with NK Istra 1961 Pula and a 2-0 home win over NK Gorica in HNL 2025/2026, so they have a pretty solid platform to build on at Stadion Rujevica.
Derry have won just twice, drawn three and lost five of their last ten across all competitions, so Lynch's men have hit a rough patch of form. The Candystripes are still seeking their first win on the road in 2026, after playing three away games across all competitions (0-1-2) and it looks like the Irish side will be chasing shadows for long spells of the game if Rijeka can get their game going.
Tiernan Lynch's team are best when they can hurt opponents on the counter attack, but the structure of Derry has looked less reliable under pressure and the high pressing that this game is likely to involve could expose them to a quick fire attack.
Daniel Adu-Adjei has been Rijeka's danger man this season, scoring three of their eight goals in his last five appearances across all competitions. Michael Duffy is Derry's best chance of unlocking the hosts on the break if they can put him through on the dribble.
Rijeka can hold Derry at bay
Rijeka's odds are too short for a home result, so we are going to take the safer, if less profitable, option of a Rijeka win to nil. Derry have conceded six goals in their three away fixtures this term and we back Rijeka's defence to hold them at bay, at least until the second leg.
Rijeka average 1.17 goals scored and only 0.67 conceded at home across all competitions, so they should be able to keep Derry City at arm's length in this game.
