Malisheva vs Hibernian - prediction, team news, lineups

Malisheva and Hibernian volition spell head-to-head astatine Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri connected Thursday day successful the archetypal limb of their Conference League 2nd qualifying circular tie. 

The hosts defeated KF Vllaznia 6-2 connected aggregate successful the archetypal qualifying round, portion the visitors participate the contention astatine this stage. 

Match preview

Malisheva person consistently competed for a spot successful the league signifier of the Conference League successful caller seasons, having featured successful the qualifying rounds successful 2024-25, 2025-26 and 2026-27. 

Malisheva won their first-ever Conference League crippled successful July 2024, beating Buducnost Podgorica 1-0 successful the archetypal limb of their archetypal qualifying circular tie, but a 3-0 decision successful the 2nd limb sealed their elimination. 

They were erstwhile again eliminated successful the archetypal qualifying circular successful 2025-26, narrowly defeated 1-0 astatine location successful the archetypal limb earlier suffering a humiliating 8-0 second-leg decision to Vikingur Reykjavik. 

Following back-to-back archetypal circular eliminations, Thomas Brdaric - appointed successful June 2026 - has already led Malisheva to their champion Conference League qualifying campaign, having flooded Vllaznia 6-2 connected aggregate to publication their spot successful the 2nd qualifying round.

While Malisheva volition beryllium sizeable underdogs against Scottish Premiership opponents Hibernian, the hosts volition look to gully assurance from their location grounds successful the Conference League, having recorded 2 wins and suffered a constrictive 1-0 decision successful their 3 location matches.

However, Hibernian stay the overwhelming favourites to unafraid a triumph and advancement into the Conference League 3rd qualifying circular - a signifier they person reached successful each of their past 3 attempts (in 2025-26, 2023-24 and 2021-22).

Despite respective heavy runs successful qualifying, including reaching the playoff circular successful 2025-26 and 2023-24, Hibernian person failed to suffice for immoderate European contention since a archetypal circular exit successful the 2005-06 UEFA Cup.

Hibernian will, therefore, beryllium anxious to yet unafraid their spot successful the league signifier of the contention this season, starting by picking up a commanding triumph successful Thursday's archetypal leg. 

David Gray's broadside caput into the lucifer disconnected the backmost of an encouraging pre-season, having fallen to a 1-0 nonaccomplishment to Shamrock Rovers successful their opening affable earlier bouncing backmost with a 5-1 triumph against Cliftonville FC and a 2-1 triumph against Brondby. 

Malisheva Conference League form:

L W

Hibernian signifier (friendlies):

L W W 

Team News

Malisheva recorded a superb 5-0 second-leg triumph against Vllaznia to publication their spot successful the 2nd qualifying round, and Brdaric whitethorn opt to sanction a akin broadside connected Thursday. 

Kreshnik Uka scored 2 and assisted 1 extremity successful that game, and the winger should commencement alongside Dzemal Ibishi and Vusal Isgandarli successful attack.

Meanwhile, Hibernian are dealing with an wounded to Rocky Bushiri, who is anticipated to beryllium ruled retired until aboriginal August owed to an Achilles tendon injury. 

Loan signing Nathan Lowe scored a brace connected his debut for Hibernian successful their 2-1 triumph against Brondby past clip out, and the striker could pb the enactment alongside Martin Boyle connected Thursday.

Malisheva imaginable starting lineup:

Avdyli; Pira, Kryeziu, Shani, Veliu; Xhylani, Vitija, Ferati; Isgandarli, Ibishi, Uka

Hibernian imaginable starting lineup:

Sallinger; O'Hora, Hanley, Obita; Passlack, Mulligan, Chaiwa, Mayor; Wright; Lowe, Boyle

We say: Malisheva 1-3 Hibernian

Malisheva bash person a beardown grounds astatine location successful this competition, but Hibernian are undeniably the stronger broadside and volition beryllium expected to permission with a comfy first-leg victory.

For information investigation of the astir apt results, scorelines and much for this lucifer delight click here.