Europa League focus match: Who takes the lead in Rijeka vs. Shelburn?

At 2:45 am on August 7, 2025, the third round of the UEFA Cup qualifiers will be staged a match between Croatia and Ireland - Rijeka will play against Shelbourne at the Cantrida Stadium. This game is not only a key battle in the European journey between the two teams, but also a touchstone for testing the strength and tactics of both sides. For fans, it is definitely worth staying up late to watch this "small league overlord showdown"!

Rijeka performed strongly in the Croatian League last season, winning 18 wins, 11 draws and 7 losses in 36 rounds, and overwhelming the heroes with 65 points to the top. However, the start of the new season seems to be a bit slow. In the recent Europa League qualifier, the Bulgarian powerhouse Ludogrez lost 1-3, exposing the loopholes on the defensive end. But when they return to home, their combat effectiveness cannot be underestimated - the K-A team has always been good at using the home atmosphere to suppress their opponents, especially when facing Irish teams with relatively insufficient experience.

From the perspective of tactical style, Rijeka likes to control the rhythm through the midfield, and crosses from the wing and set pieces are their scoring weapons. The impact of the forward line and the midfield's long shot may make Shelbourne's defense line run away. However, if you want to win easily, they must be wary of their opponents' quick counterattack.

Selbourne ranked fifth in the Irish Premier League last season, and her overall strength is far behind Rijeka, but there is never a shortage of unpopularity in the European arena. They lost 0-1 to Azerbaijani giants Kalabak in the last round of qualifying. Although they lost, their defensive toughness was remarkable. This team's tactical style is more conservative. They are good at compressing the defense line and then looking for the forward through long passes to create murderous intent, which is a bit like the "low-fit Mourinho-style bus".

However, away games are a huge challenge for them. The Irish team's European experience is already limited, and coupled with long-distance flights and the high temperatures in Croatia, physical fitness and adaptability will become key variables. If Sher instinctively withstood the pressure of the first half and even steal a goal, the suspense of the game may continue until the last moment.

Several forecasting agencies have given similar views: Rijeka has a greater chance of winning, but Shelburn may cause trouble. The score predictions are concentrated at 1-0, 2-1 or 1-1, reflecting the tendency to win or draw against the home team.

Judging from the data, Rijeka's home winning rate exceeds 70%, while Shelben's away game against strong teams is less than 30%. However, football games are never simple numbers - for example, if Shelburn can hold on to the goal in the first 20 minutes, his psychological advantage may be reversed to the away team. In addition, the referee's scale, weather and even the cheers of fans may become the "X factor" that affects the results.