Borac Banja Luka vs. Rapid Vienna Prediction, Betting Tips

Posted on March 5, 2025 by author in Football

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The UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16 kicks off with an intriguing clash on March 6, 2025, as Borac Banja Luka hosts Rapid Vienna at the Gradski Stadion in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This first-leg encounter promises to be a fascinating battle between two teams with contrasting styles and histories in European competition. Whether you’re a football enthusiast or a betting aficionado, this in-depth analysis of the Borac Banja Luka vs. Rapid Vienna prediction, betting tips, stats, and odds will give you everything you need to make informed decisions ahead of this exciting matchup.

In this 2000+ word article, we’ll break down the teams’ recent form, key players, head-to-head records (or lack thereof), tactical insights, and statistical trends. We’ll also provide actionable betting tips and the latest odds to help you navigate this Conference League fixture. Let’s dive into the details!

Match Overview

The Europa Conference League has delivered some thrilling moments this season, and the Round of 16 matchup between Borac Banja Luka and Rapid Vienna is no exception. Scheduled for Thursday, March 6, 2025, this game pits a resilient Bosnian side against an Austrian outfit with a rich footballing pedigree. Kickoff is set for 8:00 PM GMT (3:00 PM EST / 12:00 PM PST), and fans can catch the action live on TNT Sports (UK) or stream it via Discovery+.

Borac Banja Luka: The Underdog Story

Borac Banja Luka has been the surprise package of this year’s Conference League. As the first Bosnian club to reach the knockout stages of a European competition, they’ve defied expectations with their grit and determination. Finishing 20th in the league phase with 8 points from six matches (2 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses), Borac punched above their weight to secure a spot in the Round of 16. Their playoff victory over Olimpija Ljubljana—a 1-0 win in the first leg followed by a solid defensive display in the return leg—highlighted their ability to compete against stronger opposition.

Playing at home in the compact Gradski Stadion, Borac will rely on their rock-solid defense and passionate home support to challenge Rapid Vienna. However, their attacking output has been modest, with just six goals scored in eight Conference League matches this season.

Rapid Vienna: The Austrian Contenders

Rapid Vienna, one of Austria’s most storied clubs, enters this tie as the favorites. Finishing fourth in the Conference League group stage with four wins from six matches, they showcased their attacking flair and consistency. A recent 5-0 thrashing of Altach in the Austrian Bundesliga further underscores their confidence heading into this fixture. However, Rapid’s away form in Europe has been less convincing, which could give Borac a glimmer of hope.

With players like Dion Beljo (three Conference League goals this season) leading the line, Rapid will look to assert their quality and experience in Banja Luka. Yet, injuries to key players like Guido Burgstaller could test their depth in this two-legged tie.

Head-to-Head Record

Interestingly, Borac Banja Luka and Rapid Vienna have never faced each other in competitive action before. This lack of historical data adds an element of unpredictability to the matchup. Without past encounters to analyze, we’ll rely on current form, stats, and tactical approaches to craft our Borac Banja Luka vs. Rapid Vienna prediction.

Team Form and Recent Performances

Borac Banja Luka Form

Borac Banja Luka has been in decent shape heading into this fixture. Their recent form across all competitions reads:

W-D-W-W-D: Four wins and one draw in their last five matches.

Their latest competitive outing was a 1-0 victory over Radnik Bijeljina in the Bosnian Premier League, extending their unbeaten run to eight matches across all competitions. In the Conference League, Borac’s defensive resilience has been their hallmark, conceding just seven goals in six group-stage matches. However, their attack has struggled, managing only four goals in the same period.

Key highlights:

Seven of their last nine games across all competitions have featured under 2.5 goals.
Unbeaten at home in the Conference League this season (1 win, 2 draws).

Rapid Vienna Form

Rapid Vienna has shown flashes of brilliance this season, though their form has been slightly inconsistent away from home. Their recent results include:

W-L-W-W-D: Three wins, one loss, and one draw in their last five matches.

The standout performance was a 5-0 demolition of Altach, which showcased their attacking potential. In the Conference League, Rapid averaged 1.83 goals per game during the group stage, with a goal difference of 11-5. However, their sole defeat—a 2-1 loss to Omonia Nikosia—came on the road, hinting at potential vulnerabilities.

Key highlights:

Lost only one of their six Conference League matches this season.
Struggled to keep clean sheets away from home in European competition.

Key Players to Watch

Borac Banja Luka

Djordje Despotovic (Forward) The Serbian striker has been Borac’s talisman, scoring 12 goals in 22 competitive appearances this season. His physical presence and clinical finishing will be crucial against Rapid’s defense.
Sandi Ogrinec (Midfielder) Ogrinec’s stoppage-time winner against Olimpija Ljubljana in the playoffs underlined his importance. His creativity and work rate in midfield could unlock Rapid’s backline.
Sebastian Herrera (Defender) Despite being suspended for this match, Herrera’s absence will test Borac’s defensive depth. His replacement will need to step up against Rapid’s attacking threats.

Rapid Vienna

Dion Beljo (Forward) With three goals in the Conference League, Beljo is Rapid’s primary goal threat. His movement and finishing ability could exploit Borac’s defensive setup.
Konstantinos Koulierakis (Defender) The young center-back has been a revelation, scoring twice in the group stage. His aerial presence will be key in both boxes.
Kiril Despodov (Winger) The Bulgarian international’s pace and playmaking (two assists against Borac in a previous tie) make him a danger man. Borac’s full-backs will have their hands full.

Tactical Analysis

Borac Banja Luka’s Approach

Under head coach Mladen Žižović (who will watch from the stands due to a suspension), Borac typically deploys a 4-2-3-1 formation. This setup emphasizes defensive solidity, with two holding midfielders shielding the backline while allowing the attacking trio to support the lone striker. At home, Borac is likely to sit deep, absorb pressure, and hit Rapid on the counter through Despotovic and wingers like Enver Kulasin.

Strengths: Compact defense, quick transitions, set-piece threat.
Weaknesses: Limited goal-scoring output, reliance on counterattacks.

Rapid Vienna’s Approach

Rapid Vienna, managed by Robert Klauß, favors a dynamic, high-pressing style in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 setup. Their recent 5-0 win over Altach showcased their ability to dominate possession and create chances through quick passing and wing play. Against Borac, expect Rapid to push forward early, targeting the flanks with players like Despodov and Bendeguz Bolla.

Strengths: Attacking quality, pressing intensity, experience.
Weaknesses: Away form, injury concerns (Burgstaller out).

Statistical Breakdown

Here’s a closer look at the numbers driving our Borac Banja Luka vs. Rapid Vienna prediction:

Borac Banja Luka Stats

Goals Scored (Conference League): 6 in 8 matches (0.75 per game).
Goals Conceded: 7 in 8 matches (0.88 per game).
Clean Sheets: 4 in 8 matches.
Home Record (Conference League): 1 win, 2 draws, 0 losses.
Under 2.5 Goals: 7 of their last 9 games across all competitions.

Rapid Vienna Stats

Goals Scored (Conference League): 11 in 6 matches (1.83 per game).
Goals Conceded: 5 in 6 matches (0.83 per game).
Clean Sheets: 2 in 6 matches.
Away Record (Conference League): 2 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss.
Over 2.5 Goals: 4 of their last 5 matches across all competitions.

Key Trends

Borac’s matches tend to be low-scoring, with a strong emphasis on defense.
Rapid Vienna’s games often feature goals, especially when they’re in form.
Both teams have shown resilience, but Rapid’s superior attacking stats give them an edge.

Borac Banja Luka vs. Rapid Vienna Prediction

Based on the form, stats, and tactical analysis, here’s our prediction for the match:

Prediction

This first-leg clash is likely to be a tight affair. Borac Banja Luka’s home advantage and defensive organization could frustrate Rapid Vienna, who have struggled on the road in Europe. However, Rapid’s attacking quality and experience should see them create enough chances to secure a narrow victory. We predict:

Rapid Vienna to win 1-0.

Alternative Prediction

Given Borac’s low-scoring tendencies and Rapid’s inconsistent away form, a draw is also plausible. A 1-1 stalemate wouldn’t be surprising if Borac capitalizes on a set-piece or counterattack.

Betting Tips and Analysis

Here are our top betting tips for Borac Banja Luka vs. Rapid Vienna, complete with analysis and the best odds available as of March 5, 2025:

Rapid Vienna to Win

Odds: 23/20 (2.15) at Bet365.
Why: Rapid’s superior quality and Conference League form make them the favorites. Despite Borac’s home resilience, Rapid’s attacking depth should prevail in a low-scoring game.

Under 2.5 Goals

Odds: 4/5 (1.80) at William Hill.
Why: Seven of Borac’s last nine matches have gone under 2.5 goals, and Rapid’s away games in Europe have often been cagey. Expect a tight contest with limited scoring chances.

Both Teams to Score: No

Odds: 10/11 (1.91) at Paddy Power.
Why: Borac has struggled to score consistently in the Conference League, while Rapid has the defensive nous to keep a clean sheet. A shutout for one side is likely.

Dion Beljo to Score Anytime

Odds: 2/1 (3.00) at Bet365.
Why: Beljo has been Rapid’s standout striker in Europe, netting three times already. Borac’s depleted defense (Herrera suspended) could struggle to contain him.

Double Chance: Borac Banja Luka or Draw

Odds: 4/6 (1.67) at 1xBet.
Why: For cautious bettors, this covers Borac holding firm at home or snatching a draw. Their unbeaten home record in the competition supports this option.

Betting Odds Overview

Here’s a snapshot of the latest odds for the match (as of March 5, 2025, subject to change):

Borac Banja Luka Win: 11/4 (3.75) at Bet365.
Draw: 23/10 (3.30) at William Hill.
Rapid Vienna Win: 23/20 (2.15) at Bet365.
Over 2.5 Goals: 11/10 (2.10) at Paddy Power.
Under 2.5 Goals: 4/5 (1.80) at William Hill.
Both Teams to Score (Yes): 19/20 (1.95) at 1xBet.
Both Teams to Score (No): 10/11 (1.91) at Paddy Power.

Note: Always check odds closer to kickoff, as they may fluctuate based on team news and market trends.

Why This Match Matters

For Borac Banja Luka, this is a historic opportunity to make a statement on the European stage. A positive result against Rapid Vienna would cement their status as a rising force in Balkan football. For Rapid, a deep run in the Conference League could signal a return to prominence for the 32-time Austrian champions, who last tasted European success decades ago.

The first leg’s outcome will set the tone for the return fixture in Vienna. A narrow Rapid win keeps the tie alive, while a Borac upset or draw could make the second leg a nail-biter.

How to Watch

UK: Live on TNT Sports, streaming on Discovery+.
US: Not televised; streaming available via Paramount+.
Kickoff: March 6, 2025, 8:00 PM GMT.

Final Thoughts

The Borac Banja Luka vs. Rapid Vienna matchup is a classic David vs. Goliath story with a modern twist. Borac’s defensive tenacity and home advantage will make life difficult for Rapid, but the Austrian side’s attacking firepower and experience should ultimately shine through. Whether you’re backing Rapid to edge it, betting on a low-scoring game, or taking a punt on a key player, this game offers plenty of betting value.