HNK Rijeka vs Vukovar - HNL

All eyes turn to the home ground on May 8, 2026 as HNK Rijeka welcome Vukovar in a HNL encounter that promises tension, intrigue and no shortage of subplot. O'Neill made five changes for Celtic's midweek win at St Johnstone as he rested some key players ahead of Sunday's clash.

The two sides arrive with plenty to prove, and the HNL contest at the home ground offers a chance to lay down a marker. It has been a solid if unspectacular run for the hosts — D across their last five with a win rate of 50% — and they will want to push on from here. The visitors will back themselves to cause problems and will not make the trip expecting an easy afternoon. It remains to be seen if Leeds will target a No 10 or a winger capable of playing inside now that Brandt is off the table.

Wing play is likely to be central to the contest. HNK Rijeka will look to stretch the pitch and isolate their wide attackers, while Vukovar must find a way to compress the space and choke the supply lines. Schalke were third bottom for possession in winning the second tier, let alone facing Bayern.

Neither side is short on individuals capable of tilting the balance, and the duel between the two squads' chief creators could prove particularly pivotal. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. The Sun claims Arsenal and United scouted the Shakhtar Donetsk forward, who scored a hat-trick against Kudrivka on Monday and is rated at £30million.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. Expect a tight, competitive affair that could easily end all square at 2-2. With positions in the HNL table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. Joe Gomez is expected to miss the start of Liverpool's Premier League campaign through injury - but it is not likely to impact the Reds' transfer plans.