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The Europa League returns this week, with Hajduk Split kicking off their 2026-27 qualifying campaign against Zilina in the first leg of their opening-round tie at Stadion Poljud on Thursday night.
With the domestic league seasons yet to begin in Croatia and Slovakia, both sides have relied on pre-season friendlies to build match fitness ahead of the new campaign.
The two teams first met in 2009, when Zilina progressed with a 2-1 aggregate victory in the third qualifying round of the Europa League.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Hajduk Split vs Zilina key stats
- Hajduk Split have not conceded in their last three matches.
- Zilina have conceded first in five of their last seven matches.
- Each of Zilina's last five matches has produced Under 10.5 corners.
Hajduk Split vs Zilina preview: Comfortable win for the home side?
Hajduk Split vs Zilina — Tale of the Tape
| Hajduk Split | vs | Zilina |
|---|---|---|
| NA (Croatian League) | Position | NA (Slovakian League) |
| NA | Points | NA |
| NA | Goals For | NA |
| NA | Goals Against | NA |
| NA | Clean Sheets | NA |
| NA | Home / Away Rank | NA |
Hajduk Split finished second in the HNL in the 2025-26 campaign, although they were never truly in contention for the league title.
Dinamo Zagreb were head and shoulders above the rest, finishing with 86 points from 36 matches, 20 clear of Hajduk.
Nevertheless, the runners-up finish was enough to secure Gonzalo Garcia's side a place in the Europa League qualifiers, and they will now be aiming to reach the league phase.
The Whites head into this contest on the back of three consecutive pre-season victories, scoring six goals without reply, including an emphatic 4-0 win over Shkendija.
Zilina finished fourth in the Nike Liga last season with 52 points from 32 matches, ending the campaign 16 points behind champions Slovan Bratislava, who secured a place in the second qualifying round of the Champions League.
DAC 1904 and Spartak Trnava, meanwhile, finished second and third respectively to book their spots in the second qualifying round of the Conference League.
However, Zilina earned a place in the first qualifying round of the 2026-27 Europa League by beating Kosice 3-1 in the 2025-26 Slovak Cup final.
They have played four pre-season friendlies ahead of this tie but are still searching for their first victory, including a heavy 5-1 defeat to Dynamo Kyiv.
Hajduk Split vs Zilina form guide & betting tips
| Hajduk Split | vs | Zilina |
|---|---|---|
NA |
Form | NA |
| NA | Goals For | NA |
| NA | Goals Against | NA |
NA |
Europa League qualifying | NA |
Whispers predicts: Hajduk Split 3-0 Zilina
Hajduk Split head into this tie in stronger pre-season form and will be looking to build a commanding first-leg advantage on home soil.
The Whites are strong favourites at 19/50 (1.38), but the better value could lie in backing them to lead at half time at 10/11 (1.91), having been ahead at the interval in four of their last five matches.
Zilina are winless in their last six games, while Hajduk have kept clean sheets in each of their previous three outings, making Both Teams To Score – No at 4/5 (1.8) an appealing selection.
> HT winner: Hajduk Split at 10/11 (1.91) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – No at 4/5 (1.8) | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 10.5 corners at 1/2 (1.5) | Likelihood: Probable