The first Conference League 2025/26 play-off tie between Omonia Nicosia (Cyprus) and HNK Rijeka (Croatia) will take place on 19 February at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia. Omonia Nicosia vs HNK Rijeka: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Omonia Nicosia
After a narrow defeat to Mainz in their opening match, the home team went unbeaten for four Conference League games (2 wins, 2 draws), but in their most recent outing Omonia Nicosia lost 0:1 again, this time to Rakow. That defeat ended a four-match scoring run for the Cypriots in European competition. Overall, the club scored only five goals in the league phase; among the play-off teams, only Shkendija and Drita had fewer (four each). The team collected eight points and finished 18th in the standings. Omonia Nicosia will feature in the Conference League play-offs for a second straight season; last term, the club failed to knock Pafos out at this stage.
- The team have avoided defeat in 6 of their previous 8 home matches in the Conference League (5 wins, 1 draw).
- The Cypriots’ uncompromising home run in this European competition now stands at six matches (4 wins, 2 defeats).
- Omonia Nicosia have not conceded more than once in seven consecutive Conference League matches.
Potential Omonia Nicosia Lineup (4-4-2)*
Fabiano Ribeiro de Freitas – Moses Odubajo, Nikolas Panagiotou, Alpha Dionkou, Senou Coulibaly – Willy Semedo, Anastasios Chatzigiovanis, Carel Eiting, Panagiotis Andreou – Riaan Mmaee, Muamer Tankovic.
Midfielder Mateo Maric is suspended. Forward Stevan Jovetic and defender Fotios Kitsos will miss out through injury.
HNK Rijeka
The Croatians also began the league phase with a narrow defeat, but they then went on to avoid defeat in the Conference League for the rest of the campaign. However, three of their last five matches in the competition ended in draws, and as a result, with two wins from six rounds, HNK Rijeka finished with only one point more than Omonia Nicosia, placing 16th. It is also worth noting that, like their upcoming opponents, the Croatians scored five goals in total. At the same time, in four of their last five Conference League matches, HNK Rijeka kept a clean sheet, and they conceded only two goals overall — only AEK Larnaca (one) performed better by that metric.
- At least one team failed to score in 6 of the Croatians’ previous 7 Conference League matches.
- The club have covered the (+1.5) handicap in 6 of their last 7 away matches in this European competition.
- HNK Rijeka’s winless away run in the Conference League stands at five matches (2 draws, 3 defeats).
Potential HNK Rijeka Lineup (3-5-2)*
Martin Zlomislic – Ante Majstorovic, Theo Barisic, Stjepan Radeljic – Ante Orec, Justas Lasickas, Toni Fruk, Tiago Dantas, Alfonso Barco – Daniel Adu-Adjei, Ante Juric.
Midfielder Dejan Petrovic has served his suspension. Midfielder Samuele Vignato and defender Mile Skoric will miss the match through injury.
Referee
Yudzhin Dzhaya (Albania)
Matches – 7 (International fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second cautions) – 35;
Yellow cards per match – 5;
Red cards shown – 1;
Fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 29%.
Omonia Nicosia vs HNK Rijeka: Match Prediction
This tie brings together two clubs from whom it is difficult to expect an entertaining contest. Both sides are solid defensively, but not efficient enough going forward. Looking at Omonia Nicosia, all six of their league-phase matches in the Conference League were low-scoring. Overall, a two-goal line was the maximum in 6 of the Cypriots’ last 7 home games in this European competition.
For HNK Rijeka, who are among the tournament’s most reliable teams at the back, there was only one high-scoring match across the league phase — and that game was played in front of their own supporters. On average, 1.17 goals were scored per match involving the club at this stage, the lowest figure, level with Shelbourne. In addition, in 8 of HNK Rijeka’s last 11 away matches in the Conference League, we also saw a maximum of two goals.
Prediction: Under 2.5 goals
* For each team, the starting XI from their previous match is listed.
