Borac Banja Luka will welcome KI Klaksvik to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday, 15 August for the second leg of their Europa League third-round qualifier.
The first leg finished 2-1 to KI which puts the tie finely in the balance ahead of the second leg. The form guide tells us that the visitors should be confident ahead of the match but could home advantage prove pivotal on the night?
As part of our latest round of Europa League betting tips, here is our Borac Banja Luka vs KI Prediction.
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Borac Banja Luka vs KÍ prediction: The visitors to complete an unlikely double
Key stats
- Borac Banja Luka have lost four of the five competitive matches they've played this season.
- KI have only lost one of their five European qualifiers so far this season.
- KI have scored at least one goal in five of their last six matches while Borac Banja Luka have scored at least once in eight of their last nine.
Correct score prediction: Borac Banja Luka 1-2 KÍ
Last week in the Faroe Islands, KI took away a 2-1 victory but will have perhaps felt it should have been more given that they played against ten men for over an hour. Despite that, 2-1 is a scoreline that they are clearly fond of, having also won by this same scoreline at the weekend against Fuglafjordur. Borac Banja Luka have lost by this scoreline twice in Europe so far this season.
Pre-game odds and win probability: The hosts are backed to win
- Home: 4/6 (1.67) – 60%
- Draw: 14/5 (3.80) – 26.3%
- Away: 19/5 (4.80) – 20.8%
Despite us backing KI to win on the road on Thursday night, the bookies consider Borac Banja Luka the favourites here. The hosts have been priced at 4/6 with Ladbrokes to get the job done while away win has been priced long at 19/5. The draw, which would be enough for KI to progress through to the playoff round, has been picked at 14/5.
For more football predictions, check out our free betting tips for today page.
Most recent H2Hs: A second encounter
Not only is this the second time that these two clubs have met in the last week, but it's also the second time they have met in history. This isn't all that surprising given that both clubs are novices when it comes to European football.
KI are the slightly more experienced side at this level after playing in the Europa Conference League group stages two seasons ago. Meanwhile, Borac Banja Luka have never made it to the group stages of any European competition.
Borac Banja Luka: Chasing history
Borac Banja Luka only won the Bosnian Premier League for the third time in their history last season so playing at this level is somewhat unknown to them. Despite that, they can guarantee themselves a spot in the group stage of a European competition for the first time ever if they can win this match by 2+ goals. They will have to do without Sebastian Herrera after he was sent off in the first leg.
Predicted lineup: Siskovski (GK), Kvrzic, Carolinea, Meijers, Pavlovic, Skorup, Grahovac, Kulasin, Savic, Sreckovic & Lukic
Bosnia & Herzegovina Premier Liga 02/09/24
W
GOSK Gabela
0
Borac Banja Luka
3
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 29/08/24
L
Ferencvarosi TC
1 (3)
Borac Banja Luka
1 (2)
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 22/08/24
D
Ferencvarosi TC
0
Borac Banja Luka
0
Bosnia & Herzegovina Premier Liga 18/08/24
W
Sloboda Tuzla
0
Borac Banja Luka
2
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 15/08/24
W
KI Klaksvik
1
Borac Banja Luka
3
KÍ preview: Chasing another extended run
KI will be keen for another run in Europe this season after enjoying themselves in the Europa Conference League two years ago. A draw is enough for them on Thursday night to guarantee more group action but playing for a draw is fraught with danger. Will they go for it? Time will tell.
Predicted lineup: Jensen (GK), Vatnsdal, Yambere, Berntsson, Da Silva, Danielsen, Hansson, Joensen, Odemarksbakken, Klettskard & Frederiksberg
UEFA Conference League Qualifying 29/08/24
L
HJK Helsinki
2
KI Klaksvik
1
Faroe Islands Premier League 25/08/24
W
EB/Streymur
1
KI Klaksvik
2
UEFA Conference League Qualifying 22/08/24
D
HJK Helsinki
2
KI Klaksvik
2
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 15/08/24
L
Borac Banja Luka
3
KI Klaksvik
1
Faroe Islands Premier League 11/08/24
W
IF Fuglafjordur
1
KI Klaksvik
2
Player to watch: Pall Klettskard
KI legend, Pall Klettskard, is having the season of his life at his boyhood club despite now being at the ripe old age of 34. The centre forward has played for the club his entire career but is currently on course to break his previous personal best of 20 goals.
Klettskard is currently on 18 for the season and is in red-hot form, netting three times in his last three appearances, including one in the first leg against Borac Banja Luka.
