Shkendija vs Hibernian FC Prediction 13 August 2026

A 1:2 defeat doesn't look catastrophic for the Macedonians. They lost by just one goal and now return home. What's more, on 9 August the team got the emotional boost they needed in the league - a 2:0 win over Vardar. Fabrice Tamba scored a brace, netting on the 52nd and 76th minutes.

Tamba is a particular threat to Hibernian right now. It's not just his return in the last match: the forward can exploit space in behind the defensive line and is comfortable in transition. This is especially important for Shkendija, as they will need to open up more in the second leg.

Shkendija's main advantage is the ability to set the tempo themselves. In Skopje, the team don't have to wait for a Hibernian mistake. One goal is enough to level the tie on aggregate, at which point the pressure shifts to the visitors. But there is a flip side. If the Macedonians push forward too early with numbers, Hibernian will have space to counter. And after their win over Rangers, the Scots will surely feel far more confident in transition.

Hibernian won the first match only thanks to a late goal. Then David Gray's team beat Rangers 2:1 at Ibrox, again with a goal in stoppage time. So in their last two matches, the Hibs have scored winning goals in the closing stages twice. This is no longer just coincidence: Hibernian are capable of maintaining intensity until the final minutes.

The team have played two tough matches in three days and now face a flight to North Macedonia and another high-pressure match. The physical condition of individual players could be an important factor. The domestic league has already given David Gray the chance to assess the depth of his squad, but the narrow advantage in the tie does not allow him to risk certain players.

A draw sends the visitors through, so it suits them to stay compact for as long as possible and force Shkendija to open up on their own. The Scots must remember the first match: as soon as Hibs gave away too much of the initiative, the opposition quickly equalised. So Gray will almost certainly not sit entirely in his own penalty area. Hibernian also have extra confidence now after the win over Rangers - and it is precisely how they manage that advantage that will decide the outcome of the tie.