Two-goal cushion and a perfect counterattacking scenario: prediction for Borac vs Vikingur, 27.08.2026
On Thursday, August 27, Banja Luka will host the second leg of the UEFA Conference League playoff qualifier between Borac and Reykjavík's Vikingur. The Bosnian side took a massive step toward the main stage of the competition after claiming a 3-1 away win in Iceland. The winner will advance to the group stage of the Conference League, while the loser’s European journey ends here.
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Borac: the first-leg result offers a tailor-made scenario
Vinko Marinović’s side delivered a near-flawless first half in Reykjavík. Luka Juričić broke the deadlock in the 21st minute and then assisted Miloš Jojić just two minutes later. After the break, Gylfi Sigurðsson converted a penalty to pull the hosts back into it, but in the 86th minute, Juričić completed his brace and sealed a 3-1 win. Post-match, Jojić highlighted that Borac’s compactness and discipline off the ball were key to their strong display.
The stats tell the story of the first leg. Vikingur enjoyed 67% possession and a 10:2 advantage in corners, but both teams registered five shots on target apiece. Borac didn’t need to dominate the ball; the Bosnians were simply more efficient in exploiting space and their chances. The second leg should be even more comfortable for Borac, as the Icelanders now have no choice but to push forward and chase a two-goal deficit.
There’s another compelling point for the hosts: in this Conference League qualifying campaign, Borac have won both home games—3:0 against Petrocub and 1:0 over ML Vitebsk. They then beat the Belarusians on penalties and clinched their most significant European victory of the summer in Reykjavík.
Vikingur: dominant at home, but the margin for error is gone
Underestimating the Icelandic champions would be a mistake. In their domestic league, Vikingur sit atop the table: after 19 matches, they’ve racked up 48 points with an impressive goal difference of 62:18—15 wins, three draws, and just one defeat. Leading up to the first leg against Borac, Vikingur had been in free-scoring form, beating Thun 3:2 and Hafnarfjörður 4:2, and previously drawing 2:2 with both IBV and Akranes.
The problem is that their usual attacking approach is now a necessity. Even a one-goal win won’t be enough: to at least force extra time, they must overturn a two-goal deficit. That means Sölvi Ottesen’s side can’t afford to play cautiously for long. Gylfi Sigurðsson remains their main source of experience and class between the lines, but the higher Vikingur push, the more space Juričić, Hrelja, and Savić will find for rapid counters.
Probable lineups
The official starting lineups for the return leg haven’t been announced yet. If both managers stick with their first-leg selections, we could see the following:
- Borac: Jurkas — Jakšić, Karolina, Meyers, Herrera — Anderson Esiti, Hirosh, Jojić — Hrelja, Juričić, Savić.
- Vikingur: Fridriksson — Gunnarsson, Ekroth, Vatnhamar, Helgi Gudjónsson — Andrason, Gylfi Sigurðsson, Stigur Thórdarson — Finnbogason, Aron Trandarson, Nikolai Hansen.
As of August 22, UEFA has already published the latest squad lists for both teams ahead of the return leg, but the situation could still change before August 27, so the final starting elevens should be assessed closer to kickoff.
Subheadline: Match facts
- Borac won the first leg in Reykjavík, 3:1.
- The Bosnian side have won both home games in this Conference League qualifying campaign by a combined score of 4:0.
- Vikingur lead the Icelandic league, having scored 62 goals in 19 matches.
- In their previous head-to-head before this tie, Vikingur beat Borac 2:0 in the Conference League in November 2024.
- In the first leg of this tie, the Icelanders had 67% possession, but Borac registered just as many shots on target—five.
A draw suits the hosts—so here’s a safer pick: Borac vs Vikingur prediction
The home side enter the match with a two-goal advantage and have no obligation to chase a win in the return leg. A draw would be more than enough, so backing them to win outright isn’t necessary given the scenario.
Vikingur, in contrast, must take more risks. The first leg already showed just how dangerous Borac can be when given the chance to break quickly. Add in Borac’s two home wins in this qualifying campaign and their psychological edge—at the very least, the hosts look no weaker than their opponents under these specific conditions.
Prediction: Borac with a (0) handicap.
