TIPS - NK Rijeka VS Shelbourne F.C.

[(NK Rijeka) Strength]:
1. As the traditional giants in the First Football League (Croatia),\nNK Rijeka were unfortunately eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers by PFC Ludogorets Razgrad. They must now seize the opportunity to secure a spot in the Europa League. Playing at home, they will go all out for a decisive victory to lay a solid foundation for advancing in the second leg.
2. NK Rijeka won 2-0 in the league opener, securing their first win of the season. As the season has just begun, the team's fitness is relatively good.
3. NK Rijeka drew with Bulgarian powerhouse PFC Ludogorets Razgrad in regular time in both legs of the Champions League qualifiers. However, with two fewer players, they suffered a last-gasp loss in the second leg, but they showed enough tenacity.
4. NK Rijeka have a stable home record of 7 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss in the previous 10 competitive games, keeping clean sheets in the last 4 home ones.
5. NK Rijeka won 3 of the last 4 home games in AH and ended only 2 of the last 10 games with OVERs in O/U, demonstrating their solid defense at home.

[(NK Rijeka) Weakness]:
1. NK Rijeka received only 1 win, 4 draws, and 1 loss in the previous 6 games and were winless in the last 4 European football matches.

[(Shelbourne F.C.) Strength]:
1. Boasting outstanding defense, Shelbourne F.C. conceded only 3 goals in the last 5 away games across all competitions, averaging less than 1 goal per game.
2. Shelbourne F.C. won 5 of the last 7 games and the last 3 away ones in AH.

[(Shelbourne F.C.) Weakness]:
1. Shelbourne F.C. were eliminated by Qarabag in the second round of the Champions League qualifiers and can now only contend for a Europa League spot. The team have limited European football experience and will primarily focus on defensive counter-attacks in this away match, aiming to concede fewer goals. Their desire to win is moderate.
2. Shelbourne F.C. are playing in the league and the Cup now, facing the huge stress of fitness. They only won 4 of the last 10 games.
3. Shelbourne F.C. were eliminated 4-0 by Qarabag in both legs of the last Champions League qualifier. They also received only 1 win, 2 draws, and 3 losses in the last 6 European football games.
4. Shelbourne F.C. have a poor away record of only 4 wins, 7 draws, and 2 losses in 13 games of the League of Ireland Premier Division this season, revealing conservative performances.

[Tips]:
NK Rijeka showed decent form lately, remaining unbeaten with 3 wins and 2 draws in the previous 5 games.

After being eliminated in the Champions League qualification, they hope to secure a spot in the Europa League.

They must show their home dominance in the first leg against Shelbourne F.C.

Besides, NK Rijeka have a stable home record of 4 wins and 1 draw in the last 5 matches, conceding only one goal.

In this round, they should be able to handle Shelbourne F.C., who have a relatively weak attacking ability, with ease.

The AH line significantly supports NK Rijeka in this home match.

Thus, NK Rijeka are expected to win at home by at most a 2-goal margin.

[Recommended]:
NK Rijeka (-1.5)