Zira, a lesser-known side compared to Qarabağ, are set to host Hajduk Split, who have regularly been the second-strongest team in Croatia in recent seasons. Despite being away from home, Hajduk Split appear to be the more likely favourites.
Zira FK
If any club embodies the notion of being a “second-tier force,” it is Zira. In the Azerbaijan Premier League, dislodging Qarabağ from the top spot is nearly impossible. More often than not, Zira don’t even finish as runners-up, with other sides stepping up to fill that role. In their last European campaign, they were fortunate to begin in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers but were swiftly eliminated by Sheriff Tiraspol in a penalty shootout (1:0, 1:2). The team did manage to advance through two rounds in the UEFA Europa Conference League but ultimately stumbled at the final hurdle against AC Omonia (0:6, 1:0). One of their more notable performances came in the third round, where Zira edged past NK Osijek on penalties (1:1, 2:2).
Hajduk Split
However, both in the season when European spots were determined and in the one that followed, NK Osijek finished behind Hajduk Split — in fourth and then seventh place respectively. Meanwhile, Hajduk Split consistently secured third. That said, their last European campaign ended in disappointment when they were eliminated in the third qualifying round by MFK Ružomberok (0:0, 0:1). All four of Hajduk Split’s qualifying matches ended with Total Under 2.5 goals, with only one of those games featuring any goals at all.
Zira FK vs Hajduk Split Prediction
Zira are unlikely to overcome Hajduk Split, though they are certainly capable of making things difficult. Rather than backing a particular outcome, the smarter approach here is to focus on goals. Hajduk Split have maintained their trend of low-scoring matches even in this summer’s friendlies, recording four 1:0 wins and a single 1:2 loss.
