Malasheva v Hibernian prediction: Hibees have it in them to secure Pristina result
Jack Ogalbe
Malisheva beat Vllaznia 6-2 on aggregate in the first qualifying round
Hibernian lost to Legia Warsaw in last season's Conference League play-off round
Recommended bet: Hibernian to win and both teams to score @ 43/20 with LiveScore Bet
Hibernian begin their season with a Conference League second qualifying round tie against Kosovan outfit Malisheva.
Malisheva overcame Albania's Vllaznia 6-2 on aggregate in first-round qualifying, winning last Wednesday's home game 5-0.
Hibs have had to make do with friendly matches over the summer, but beat Brondby 2-1 on Saturday and should be good enough to get a result in Pristina.
The latest Malisheva v Hibernian odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Malisheva winger Kreshnik Uka scored twice in the win over Vllaznia and is expected to start on the left of his team's attack. For Hibs, Jamie McGrath and Nicky Cadden are missing with calf issues, while defender Rocky Bushiri is out with an Achilles problem. Callum Wright could be involved after a thigh injury, while Josh Campbell is also available despite a hamstring complaint.
The stats
The 2026-27 season is the third campaign that Malisheva have competed in the Conference League and their aggregate victory over Vllaznia means they have made it to the second qualifying round for the first time.
This season marks the fourth occasion Hibs have competed in the Conference League, most recently losing to Legia Warsaw in last season's play-off round.
The Edinburgh outfit have played three friendly matches, losing 1-0 to Shamrock Rovers and beating Cliftonville 5-1 and Brondby 2-1.
Of their four Conference League games last season, three featured both teams scoring.
The latest Malisheva v Hibernian odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Hibs finished fifth in last season's Scottish Premiership and are becoming Conference League regulars.
Head coach David Gray has admitted he does not know too much about Thursday's hosts, but is expecting a "high energy" approach from Malisheva, who should be confident after last week's 5-0 win.
Getting a result from this game, which is being played at Pristina's Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri due to the Liman Gegaj Stadium in Malisheva not meeting the competition's infrastructure criteria, is the nominal hosts' best chance of progress.
They could be good enough to get a goal, but despite some absentees, Hibernian's experience and quality make them tough to ignore.
Hibs are usually solid at Easter Road and they should take a slender advantage back to Edinburgh.
Back Hibernian to win and both teams to score @ 43/20 with LiveScore Bet
Score prediction: Malisheva 1-2 Hibernian
The latest Malisheva v Hibernian odds are available on LiveScore Bet
