Can Hajduk break Žilina's resistance in the Europa League? Match prediction for Hajduk vs Žilina
On Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 20:00 Central European Time, the Poljud Stadium in Split will host the first leg of the UEFA Europa League 2026/2027 first qualifying round. Croatian side Hajduk will welcome Slovakian club Žilina to their home ground.
This encounter marks the official kickoff of the new European season for both teams, so the tactical schemes crafted by the coaches and the physical condition of the players after the summer break will be closely scrutinized.
Hajduk are traditionally formidable at home, with the passionate support of their stands always pushing the team forward. Last domestic season, Hajduk ended on a high note, engaging in a spectacular shootout with Vukovar (6:3). The Split side’s attack is consistent and regularly breaks down opposing defenses, though their own backline occasionally leaves open spaces that the visitors could exploit.
It is expected that Hajduk will seize control of possession from the first minutes and look to score an early goal to secure a comfortable advantage ahead of the return trip to Slovakia. Žilina, meanwhile, will likely opt for a pragmatic approach, sitting in a mid-block and relying on quick, vertical counterattacks.
As for Žilina, they capped off last season by clinching the Slovak Cup, confidently overcoming Košice 3-1 in the final. However, their league campaign was marked by inconsistency, with strong performances alternating with inexplicable defeats. Žilina are a well-drilled and gritty opponent, known for rising to the occasion in major cup ties, but historically they have struggled when visiting tough Balkan clubs.
The history between these teams already features one iconic two-legged thriller. They faced off in the summer of 2009 in the Europa League third qualifying round:
- 30.07.2009 (First leg): Žilina vs Hajduk — 1:1. The Croatians struck first in the 52nd minute through Rafael Paraíba, but the Slovaks equalized from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute thanks to David Kobylík.
- 06.08.2009 (Second leg): Hajduk vs Žilina — 0:1. In a packed Poljud, the Slovak club pulled off a sensation: in the 76th minute, Ivan Lietava netted the winning goal that sent Žilina through to the next round (aggregate score 2:1).
Thus, the historical stats are completely in Žilina’s favor: 1 win and 1 draw for the Slovaks. Hajduk have yet to defeat this opponent in official matches, adding a huge element of revenge to this 2026 showdown.
Probable lineups
- Hajduk: Silić - Acapandié, Marešić, Van Hoorenbeeck, Hrgović - Pukštas, Pajaziti, Brruti - Brajković, Huram, Šego
- Žilina: Badzgon - Paliscak, Kaša, Narimanidze - Hranica, Káčer, Adang, Bari - Faško, Kosa, Roginić
What to bet on in this clash?
Hajduk’s defense might still be lacking cohesion at the start of the season, while Žilina demonstrated in the Slovak Cup final that they can capitalize on their attacking opportunities. With that in mind, my prediction is Both teams to score – YES.
