Jablonec

vs

NK Varazdin

Preview

Jablonec

• Jablonec's recent form has been poor with 1 win and 4 defeats in their last 5 matches.
• Jablonec got a 3-2 away win in last week's first leg, but the momentum is with NK Varaždin, who have been on a 3-game winning streak and are looking to snatch the tie on Thursday.
• Jablonec have been leaky at the back, conceding 7 goals in their 5 home matches in all current competitions, and that could be their undoing in this fixture.
• In all current competitions, Jablonec have 2 wins, 1 draw and 7 defeats across their last 10 games.

NK Varaždin

• NK Varaždin have won 3 of their last 5 with 1 draw and 1 defeat.
• NK Varaždin are the more direct team, and they like to make their runs in the channels, which should set up an interesting clash with Jablonec's more centre-first approach.
• In all current competitions, NK Varaždin have 6 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats in their last 10 and have the form of a side in the groove.
• Nikola Safaric has overseen a tactically flexible and sharp Varaždin team since taking over in December 2023, and they have looked particularly impressive when they have been able to get on the front foot.

Key Players

• Martin Cedidla has been their spark at the top of the field with 1 goal in 1 UEFA Conference League qualification appearance, while Nemanja Tekijaski has chipped in with 2 goals in the last 5 games to give them a little extra set-piece threat.
• Luka Mamic has been their hot hand with 3 goals in the last 5, and the visitors look likely to come on strong again with Iuri Tavares' 1 goal in 1 UEFA Conference League qualification match.

Betting Insights

• The odds for this fixture look about right at 1.71 for the hosts, 4.52 for the visitors and 4.2 for the draw.
• Over 2.5 goals at 1.62 and both teams to score at 1.65 are both good options as this should be a lively clash.