Samsunspor vs Shkendija Prediction & Betting Tips (26 February)

Samsunspor’s trip to North Macedonia to face Shkëndija in the UEFA Europa Conference League knockout phase has quietly become one of the more intriguing ties of early 2026. The first leg is set for 19 February at the Toše Proeski Arena in Skopje, with the Macedonian side hosting a Samsunspor team still adapting to the rhythm of European knockout football. In the past two months, attention has centred on the playoff draw and how evenly matched these clubs appear on paper, with some models marginally favouring the hosts while fan polls lean towards the Turkish visitors.

When you look at Samsunspor’s recent schedule, you see a side hardened by a mix of domestic and continental tests. Their upcoming clash in Tetovo, mirrored in the preview for Shkëndija vs Samsunspor, is already being dissected in detail at 1-0, where form, injuries and tactical trends are under the microscope. In Turkey, tough league fixtures such as the early-January meeting with Fenerbahçe, archived at 0-0, have forced Samsunspor to refine their defensive structure and game management, something that could prove vital in a two-legged European tie.

Shkëndija, meanwhile, come into this Conference League playoff on the back of a busy winter, juggling domestic ambitions with the demands of Europe. Their recent continental journey has included high-profile nights like the trip to Cyprus to face AEK Larnaca, reflected in the matchup file at 2-1, and a home date with Slovan Bratislava, detailed at 2-0. Over the last couple of months, local coverage has highlighted Shkëndija’s growing confidence at home, where their aggressive pressing and quick transitions often tilt tight games in their favour.

All of this recent context—Samsunspor’s testing domestic fixtures, Shkëndija’s European learning curve, and the balanced feel of the draw—feeds into the sense that the first leg in Skopje could hinge on small details: set-piece execution, composure in front of goal, and who settles quicker in a charged atmosphere. Taking into account the defensive improvements shown by the visitors and the occasional vulnerability Shkëndija display when chasing matches, our bolder call for this opening encounter is a 3-0 correct score in favour of Samsunspor, a result that would give the Turkish side a commanding advantage heading into the return