Rijeka vs Omonia Prediction & Betting Tips (26 February)

Rijeka welcome Omonia to Stadion HNK Rijeka for the decisive Europa Conference League playoff second leg with the tie finely poised after a dramatic first meeting in Nicosia. In that game, decided in the closing stages, Daniel Adu-Adjei struck late for Rijeka while Tornike Morchiladze saw red for Omonia deep into stoppage time, a twist that underlined how tense this matchup has already become. Both clubs know that progression to the round of 16 would be a significant statement, and the narrative over the past few weeks has been shaped by that narrow first-leg scoreline and the growing pressure on each side’s key players to deliver when it matters most.

For Rijeka, recent months have brought a mix of resilience and inconsistency, with their European campaign often providing a brighter storyline than some domestic outings. They have already been through demanding continental nights, including their earlier Conference League clashes such as the home meeting with Celje and the high-profile test against Shakhtar Donetsk, where their tactical discipline and set-piece threat were closely scrutinised. Those matches, along with the hard-fought win in Nicosia, suggest a side that can absorb pressure for long spells before striking with precision, but they will be aware that a more proactive approach may be required in front of their own supporters if they want to avoid a nervy finale.

Omonia arrive in Croatia with a sense that this tie is far from over, despite the frustration of failing to score at home and finishing the first leg with ten men. Their domestic calendar has kept them sharp, with recent league encounters against familiar rivals like Aris and AEK Larnaca testing both their defensive structure and their ability to break down organised back lines. In those games, Omonia have leaned on the creativity of their wide players and the energy of their midfield runners, qualities that will be essential if they are to unsettle Rijeka’s back four. The Cypriot side also know that they have previously risen to the occasion in European qualifiers, and that belief in their attacking patterns will be crucial as they chase a result away from home.

All signs point toward a finely balanced contest in which momentum could swing several times, with Rijeka likely to lean on their compact shape and counterattacking punch while Omonia push for territory and sustained pressure. Given the narrow gap between the teams, the recent evidence of Rijeka’s ability to edge tight European fixtures, and Omonia’s need to chase the game without losing their defensive bearings, a close outcome feels inevitable. Taking everything into account, we lean toward Rijeka doing just enough to advance, with a correct score of 2-1 capturing the balance between their attacking edge and Omonia’s capacity to resp