Hibs to face Kosovan side Malisheva in Europe
Retold by Oddsrama · 15 July 2026
Hibernian's European adventure this summer will pit them against Kosovo's Malisheva in the Conference League second qualifying round. The match-up comes after David Gray's side finished fifth in the Scottish Premiership last season, securing their spot in this continental competition. They'll face a Kosovan outfit that punched above their weight in qualifying, having finished as runners-up in their domestic league.
Malisheva earned their passage through a thrilling first-round tie against Albania's Vllaznia. After trailing 2-1 from the first leg, they produced a stunning turnaround with a 5-0 demolition in the return fixture, winning 6-2 on aggregate. It's the kind of form that could worry any opponent, though Hibs come into this fixture as heavy favourites—they're ranked over 100 places higher in UEFA's coefficient ladder.
The Scottish side will travel to Kosovo for the opening leg on 23 July, before hosting the second leg at Easter Road on 30 July. That away fixture could be crucial given Malisheva's demonstrated ability to turn ties on their head. From a betting perspective, Hibs look the clear pick in the outright market, but the Kosovans' recent defensive collapse against Vllaznia suggests both teams to score could be worth exploring across both legs. Gray will be keen to avoid complacency after seeing what this Malisheva side are capable of when motivated.
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