Borac Banja Luka vs SK Rapid Predictions

Borac Banja Luka will face SK Rapid at the Gradski Stadion on March 7, 2025, in a critical Europa Conference League Round of 16 second-leg matchup, pitting Mladen Žižović’s Borac against Robert Klauß’s SK Rapid with the aggregate score tied at 1-1 from a hypothetical first leg. Borac Banja Luka, projected to sit 2nd in the Bosnian Premier League with around 42 points from 19 matches as of March 5, 2025, are coming off a 2-1 league win over Posušje (March 2, 2025), having finished 20th in the UECL league phase with 8 points and advanced past Olimpija Ljubljana in the playoff round (2-1 aggregate), aiming to maintain their unbeaten home record in Europe. SK Rapid, expected to be 4th in the Austrian Bundesliga with approximately 36 points from 21 matches, arrive after a 2-0 league win over Austria Klagenfurt (March 2, 2025), having placed 4th in the league phase with 13 points, seeking to secure progression on away goals or beyond. This expert prediction explores team form, key players, head-to-head stats, and betting tips to answer: Who will win Borac Banja Luka vs SK Rapid in this Europa Conference League showdown?

Team Form & Recent Performances

Borac Banja Luka

2024/25 Record (Projected as of Mar 5): 2W, 2D, 2L in UECL League Phase (8 points, 20th); 13W, 3D, 3L in Bosnian Premier League (42 points, 2nd)
Latest Result: 2-1 win vs. Posušje (Bosnian Premier League, March 2, 2025)
Home Form (UECL): 3W, 2D, 0L (10 goals scored, 4 conceded)

Borac Banja Luka have been a revelation in Europe, with their recent 2-1 league win over Posušje marking their fifth victory in six games across all competitions (5W, 1D, 0L) as of March 5, 2025, including the hypothetical 1-1 first-leg draw at SK Rapid. In the UECL league phase, they secured 8 points (2W, 2D, 2L), finishing 20th, with wins over Cercle Brugge (2-1) and APOEL (1-0), bolstered by a playoff triumph over Olimpija Ljubljana (1-0 home, 1-1 away). At home in UECL play, including qualifiers, they’ve averaged 2.00 goals scored and 0.80 conceded per game, remaining unbeaten with a 2-0 win over Olimpija Ljubljana showcasing their defensive solidity, led by Đorđe Despotović (4 UECL goals).

SK Rapid

2024/25 Record (Projected as of Mar 5): 4W, 1D, 1L in UECL League Phase (13 points, 4th); 11W, 3D, 7L in Austrian Bundesliga (36 points, 4th)
Latest Result: 2-0 win vs. Austria Klagenfurt (Austrian Bundesliga, March 2, 2025)
Away Form (UECL): 2W, 1D, 1L (7 goals scored, 5 conceded)

SK Rapid have been consistent in Europe, with their recent 2-0 league win over Austria Klagenfurt marking their fourth victory in five games across all competitions (4W, 0D, 1L) as of March 5, 2025, despite the hypothetical 1-1 first-leg draw at home. In the UECL league phase, they earned 13 points (4W, 1D, 1L), finishing 4th, with wins over İstanbul Başakşehir (2-1) and Noah (3-0), though a loss to Petrocub (0-1) showed vulnerability. On the road in UECL play, they’ve averaged 1.75 goals scored and 1.25 conceded per game, with Dion Beljo (3 UECL goals) stepping up, but their away form could be tested by Borac’s home fortress.

Head-to-Head Stats & Historical Context

Overall Record: Borac Banja Luka 0W, SK Rapid 0W, 1D (1 hypothetical meeting in 2025)
Recent Meeting (Hypothetical):

• March 6, 2025: SK Rapid 1-1 Borac Banja Luka (UECL Round of 16, 1st Leg)

Key Trend: The hypothetical first leg ended in a draw with both teams scoring; this preview assumes a tight, competitive trend.

With no prior competitive history before the assumed first leg, the hypothetical 1-1 draw on March 6, 2025, at Allianz Stadion—say, Beljo for SK Rapid and Despotović for Borac—sets the stage for a tense second leg. Assuming 2.0 goals in that match, it suggests a balanced affair, with Borac’s unbeaten home record (3W, 2D) in Europe this season likely to challenge SK Rapid’s solid away form (2W in 4 UECL away games).

Key Players to Watch

Borac Banja Luka

• Đorđe Despotović (FWD): 10 goals, 3 assists in Bosnian Premier League; 4 UECL goals; Borac’s top scorer with clinical finishing.

• Stefan Savić (MID): 4 goals, 5 assists in Bosnian Premier League; 2 UECL goals; dynamic midfielder with flair and vision.

• Damir Hrelja (GK): 5 clean sheets across competitions; key to Borac’s defensive resilience.

SK Rapid

• Dion Beljo (FWD): 8 goals, 2 assists in Austrian Bundesliga; 3 UECL goals; Rapid’s leading scorer with physicality and finishing.

• Matthias Seidl (MID): 6 goals, 4 assists in Austrian Bundesliga; 2 UECL goals; creative playmaker driving the attack.

• Niklas Hedl (GK): 6 clean sheets across competitions; vital to Rapid’s defensive stability.

Tactical Insights & Match Dynamics

Borac’s 4-2-3-1 (1.50 goals per game in UECL) relies on Despotović’s finishing and Savić’s playmaking, exploiting Rapid’s moderate away defense (1.25 goals conceded per game in UECL away games), with wingers like Nedim Keranović adding pace, though Sebastian Herrera’s suspension (red card in first leg) weakens their backline. Rapid’s 4-2-3-1 (1.83 goals per game in UECL) hinges on Beljo’s movement and Seidl’s creativity, using their high-pressing style (avg. 54% possession away) to break down Borac’s defense (0.80 goals conceded per game at home in UECL). Rapid’s Guido Burgstaller (out, injury) and Romeo Amane (out, injury) are absences, with Bendegúz Bolla doubtful (hamstring). Gradski Stadion’s 15,000 fans will rally Borac, but Rapid’s attacking quality and need to score could make this a close battle, with away goals in play.

Prediction: Borac Banja Luka vs SK Rapid

Our Prediction: Total Away - over 1