The UEFA Europa Conference League Phase has two critical Matchday 3 matches on Thursday, October 23rd, which are crucial for teams looking to wrap up knockout positions. HNK Rijeka welcomes AC Sparta Praha to Croatia as they aim to rise through the ranks, and SK Rapid Wien hosts Italian outfit ACF Fiorentina in Vienna in a desperate attempt to gain their first points. This article provides a thorough preview of both crucial European matches, covering the current UEL table, recent results, injury concerns, and tactical expectations.

• Date: 23rd October 2025

• Starting Time: 4:45 PM UTC

• Match Location: Stadion Rujevica, Rijeka, Croatia

After losing by a slim margin on Matchday 1, Rijeka is among the teams without a point. They are in the elimination bracket and need a result if they are to stay in contention.

• Current UCL Standing: 24th overall (0 points from 1 match).

• Recent Domestic Form: W-L-D-D (A recent victory was preceded by a series of losses/draws).

• Key Stat: Rijeka lost their first Conference League match 1-0.

Sparta Prague began the competition on a good note and is presently placed high in the league phase table.

• Current UCL Standing: 4th overall (3 points from 1 match).

• Current Domestic Form: D-D-W-W (Sparta Prague is in good domestic form).

• Main Stat: Sparta Prague scored 4 goals in their opening Conference League match.

• Current Advantage: The clubs have no current competitive record. Sparta Prague won their only current non-competitive encounter.

• Goal Trend: Sparta Prague's free-scoring offence is evident with 41 goals in 18 domestic and European games this season.

Rijeka has a number of players injured.

• Injured/Out: Damir Kreilach (injury), Gabriel Rukavina (injury), Mile Skoric (injury), and Niko Jankovic (suspension).

Sparta Prague has a couple of injury concerns to deal with for this game.

• Injured/Out: Magnus Kofod Andersen (injury), Elias Cobbaut (injury).

• Rijeka Predicted XI (Expected): Labrovic; Smolcic, Dilaver, Goda; Grgic, Selahi, Vrancic, Liber; Frigan, Obregon, Pavicic.

• Sparta Praha Predicted XI (Expected): Kovar; Sorensen, Panak, Krejci; Wiesner, Laci, Kairinen, Zeleny; Haraslin, Birmancevic, Kuchta.

• Rijeka's Defence vs Sparta's Attack: Rijeka have to deal with a free-scoring Sparta attack that averaged 2.28 goals a game this season.

• Midfield Battle: The Czech team's ability to control the ball and the pace of the game will be the key to breaking through the home defence.

• Date: 23rd October 2025

• Starting Time: 4:45 PM UTC

• Match Location: Allianz Stadion, Vienna, Austria

After suffering a crushing defeat (4-1) in their first game, which left them firmly entrenched in the elimination zone, Rapid Wien comes into the match in need of a dramatic change of fortune.

• Current UCL Standing: 32nd overall (0 points from 1 match).

• Recent Domestic Form: L-L-L-L (Rapid Wien have lost four consecutive matches in all competitions).

• Key Stat: Rapid Wien has conceded goals in all their previous seven matches.

Fiorentina are in a good position after winning their first match (2-0) and are currently in the seeded pot.

• Current UCL Standing: 8th overall (3 points from 1 game).

• Recent Domestic Form: L-L-D-L-L (Fiorentina are winless in their last seven Serie A fixtures but defeated their Conference League first opponent).

• Key Stat: Fiorentina defeated their Conference League first opponent 2-0.

Recent Edge: The teams have a victory each in their only two recent meetings (in the 2023 Conference League Play-offs).

Rapid Wien's defence is depleted.

• Injured/Out: Tobias Borkeeiet (knee), Noah Bischof (ankle), and Jean Marcelin (hamstring).

• Doubtful: Amin Groller (knock).

Fiorentina has several long-term injury issues.

• Injured/Out: Christian Kouamé (knee), Tariq Lamptey (injury).

• Doubtful: Moise Kean (ankle), Dodo (muscular issues).

• Rapid Wien Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Hedl; Bolla, Cvetkovic, Raux-Yao, Horn; Seidl, Amane; Wurmbrand, Gulliksen, Radulovic; Mbuyi.

• Fiorentina Predicted XI (3-5-2): De Gea; Pongracic, Mari, Ranieri; Dodo, Mandragora, Caviglia, Ndour, Gosens; Gudmundsson, Kean.

• Fiorentina's Offence vs. Rapid's Defense: Fiorentina's attack is better technically and has more depth, which will be a problem for a Rapid Wien defense that has had trouble in Europe. In their last seven games, Rapid's defense has let in goals.

• Control of the Midfield: The Italians will try to control the ball and set the pace, taking advantage of how predictable Rapid Wien's build-up play is.

• HNK Rijeka vs Sparta Praha: Sparta's high scoring rate and Rijeka's recent poor form makes Sparta Prague to Win the pick.

• SK Rapid Wien vs ACF Fiorentina: Fiorentina's class and Rapid's defensive issues make Over 2.5 Goals good value.

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Sparta Prague's decent start to the Conference League and their improved domestic form make them heavy favourites against a Rijeka side that has been struggling. While the home support will be a factor, Sparta Prague's high-scoring attacking style should be enough to take all 3 points.

• Final Score Prediction: HNK Rijeka 1 - 2 AC Sparta Praha

Fiorentina's quality should ultimately get better off Rapid Wien. While they have been poor at home, Fiorentina has shown enough technical class in Europe to get rid of a defensively problematic Rapid team on the first matchday. Expect the Italian side to dominate possession and score more than once.

• Final Score Prediction: SK Rapid Wien 1 - 3 ACF Fiorentina

These results on Matchday 3 are crucial to the UEFA Conference League knockout pursuit. Victories for Sparta Prague and Fiorentina would put them squarely in the top eight or so, and they would enjoy a huge advantage in the pursuit of a direct Round of 16 spot. For Rijeka and Rapid Wien, not gaining points in these instances would see their path to qualification become extremely difficult in the remaining matches.