Santa Clara and Varazdin will battle for a place in the next stage in the Conference League qualifiers on Thursday, 31 July.
Will Santa Clara take the home-court advantage to overcome the first leg deficit or will Varazdin defend the advantage from Croatia? Read our Santa Clara vs Varazdin prediction to find that out and more.
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Santa Clara vs Varazdin prediction: Another high-scoring game
Key stats
- We saw both teams score in three of the last four matches played by Varazdin.
- Santa Clara have gone over 2.5 total goals in three of their last four games and the same is true for Varazdin.
- The first leg between these two teams in Croatia ended 2-1 for Varazdin.
Correct score prediction: Santa Clara 2-1 Varazdin
The two teams were involved in an evenly-matched duel last week in Croatia, but despite that, Varazdin managed to secure a minimal win ahead of the rematch.
We can see the roles being reversed in Portugal and Santa Clara getting a minimal win, taking this tie into extra time and possibly even penalties.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Santa Clara favoured by the bookies
- HOME: 7/20 (1.35) – 74.10%
- DRAW: 19/5 (4.80) – 20.80%
- AWAY: 8/1 (9.00) – 11.10%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
We can clearly see that the hosts are the expected winners based on these Santa Clara vs Varazdin odds, and by a pretty huge margin.
While we can see Santa Clara being favoured based on the team quality and home-court advantage, we were a bit surprised to see them favoured so heavily, especially after a loss in the first leg.
In any case, remember to also check out more of our betting tips for today if you enjoyed our tips for this match.
Most recent H2Hs: Second time to meet
Last week's duel between these two teams was the first time they ever met, with Varazdin notching a 2-1 win at home.
UEFA Conference League Qualifying 24/07/25
NK Varazdin
Santa Clara
Santa Clara preview: Hoping to turn things around
While Santa Clara put up a good fight last week against Varazdin in Croatia, matching the hosts in most statistical categories, they couldn't avoid a loss after conceding a goal in the 85th minute. So, the Portuguese team will now have to win at home by two or more goals to secure a spot in the next stage of the Conference League qualifiers, or at least by one goal to take the tie to extra time.
Meanwhile, Pedro Pacheco remains sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury.
Predicted lineup: Batista (GK), Pereira, Venancio, Rocha, Victor, Adriano, Ferreira, Soares, Lopes, Wendel & G. Silva
Europe Friendlies 12/07/25
L
TSV Steinbach
1
UNA Strassen
0
Europe Friendlies 05/07/25
D
Progres Niedercorn
2
UNA Strassen
2
Europe Friendlies 26/06/25
L
FC 03 Differdange
2
UNA Strassen
1
Luxembourg Division Nationale 25/05/25
W
FC 03 Differdange
0
UNA Strassen
1
Luxembourg Division Nationale 18/05/25
W
Victoria Rosport
0
UNA Strassen
3
Varazdin preview: Hoping to build on the first leg
The Croatian team can be optimistic heading into the second leg of their tie with Santa Clara after winning the first match at home 2-1, even though the bookies see them as clear outsiders for this match. Varazdin are in great form going into this match since they are unbeaten in their last five games since the start of the new season, four of which were pre-season friendlies in which they recorded three wins.
When it comes to team news, Thierry Nevers is the only injured player at Varazdin ahead of this game.
Predicted lineup: Zelenika (GK), Borsic, Ba, Barac, Jovanov, Marina, Duvnjac, Bockaj, Vuk, Belcar & Mamut
Scotland Premiership 10/05/25
L
St Mirren
2
Dundee Utd
0
Scotland Premiership 03/05/25
L
Hibernian
3
Dundee Utd
1
Scotland Premiership 26/04/25
L
Celtic
5
Dundee Utd
0
Scotland Premiership 12/04/25
W
St Johnstone
0
Dundee Utd
1
Scotland Premiership 06/04/25
W
Hearts
0
Dundee Utd
1
Player to watch: Vinicius Lopes
While the 26-year-old Brazilian forward didn't exactly light the world on fire last season in Primeira Liga with eight goals in 31 games, he was Santa Clara's top scorer nonetheless.
With that in mind, Santa Clara will hope to get some contribution from Lopes in their second leg against Varazdin, which might be necessary for them to advance after losing the first leg.