A 15-year European exile is within sight of ending for FC Utrecht, who host Bosnia and Herzegovina Premier League champions HSK Zrinjski Mostar at Stadion Galgenwaard in this UEFA Europa League second leg decider on Thursday, 28 August.
Keep close tabs on UEFA Europa League predictions after viewing our key Utrecht vs Zrinjski tips below.
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Utrecht vs Zrinjski prediction: Cathedral Citizens to eliminate the Nobles
Key stats
- Utrecht have won each of their five UEL qualifier matches this season.
- The hosts have lost just once since the start of the campaign across all competitions.
- Zrinjski are winless in six of their nine competitive games since the season’s start.
- The Nobles haven’t won any of their last three matches (D1, L2).
Correct score prediction: Utrecht 2-1 Zrinjski
Utrecht built on their commanding first-leg advantage with a dominant 4-1 Eredivisie win over Excelsior, showcasing their attacking form ahead of the return leg. Goals from David Min and Victor Jensen in Bosnia and Herzegovina have all but sealed their progress, extending their scoring streak to eight matches this season in the process. Contrastingly, Zrinjski are winless in three straight competitive games, their last victory coming against Breidablik in the previous qualifying round. With momentum and form firmly on their side, Utrecht are expected to secure a narrow win and confirm their place in Europa League this campaign.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Zrinjski the underdogs
- HOME: 2/5 (1.40) – 71.4%
- DRAW: 18/5 (4.60) – 21.7%
- AWAY: 11/2 (6.50) – 15.3%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Utrecht have scored 14 goals and conceded just four across their five Europa League qualifiers so far. The Cathedral Citizens are backed by odds of 2/5 (1.40), which indicates a 71.4% probability of success.
The visitors' first and last appearance in European competition came in the 2023/24 Conference League season. The visitors are not expected to miss out for the second season running, priced at 11/2 (6.50) – a 15.3% win probability rate.
Don’t forget to check out more of our football betting tips page after analysing our Utrecht vs Zrinjski predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: Fourth meeting
Apart from Utrecht's first leg win this campaign, the two sides met in the 2019/20 UEL first qualifying round, with Zrinjski emerging victorious in extra time in the second leg after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 21/08/25
Zrinjski Mostar
FC Utrecht
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 01/08/19
Zrinjski Mostar
FC Utrecht
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 25/07/19
FC Utrecht
Zrinjski Mostar
Utrecht preview: Sixth straight UEL qualifier victory?
Jans is expected to stick to the same starting eleven that beat the Bosnian side a week ago.
Predicted lineup: Barkas (GK), El Karouani, Viergever, van der Hoorn, Horeman, Zechiel, Engwanda-Onjena, Jensen, Blake, Aller &Rodriguez
Netherlands Eredivisie 11/05/25
L
FC Twente
2
FC Utrecht
0
Netherlands Eredivisie 25/04/25
W
RKC
0
FC Utrecht
4
Netherlands Eredivisie 20/04/25
W
Ajax
0
FC Utrecht
4
Netherlands Eredivisie 13/04/25
W
FC Groningen
1
FC Utrecht
3
Netherlands Eredivisie 06/04/25
D
Go Ahead Eagles
2
FC Utrecht
2
Zrinjski preview: The visitors to bounce back to victory?
Potar Mamic picked up a late red card in the first leg, and he remains the visitors’ only major absentee for this clash.
Predicted lineup: Karacic (GK), Mamic, Barisic, Jakovljevic, Memija, Ivancic, Savic, Pranjic, Mikic, Kis & Bilbija
Europe Friendlies 31/01/25
D
Sutjeska Niksic
1
Zrinjski Mostar
1
Europe Friendlies 25/01/25
W
OFK Vrsac
0
Zrinjski Mostar
1
Europe Friendlies 18/01/25
W
NK Croatia Zmijavci
0
Zrinjski Mostar
1
Bosnia & Herzegovina Premier Liga 15/12/24
L
Radnik Bijeljina
2
Zrinjski Mostar
0
Bosnia & Herzegovina Premier Liga 08/12/24
W
Borac Banja Luka
0
Zrinjski Mostar
1
Player to watch: Victor Jensen
Danish forward Jensen has shone bright for Utrecht in their recent Europa League outings, netting five goals in as many previous qualifiers, including a match-winning brace in the 2-1 second leg victory over Servette in the second qualifying round. His late header provides Utrecht with the protective cushion they need to claim a comfortable aggregate victory in this two-legged fixture.