Hajduk Split
- Hajduk Split are tied on points with NK Istra 1961 Pula in HNL 2026-2027, but it is only game day one and the home side are in seventh place on 0 points.
- Hajduk Split have been playing a high-tempo 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 in which their pressing is aggressive, and they like to play the ball at pace over the top to their No.10.
NK Istra 1961 Pula
- Istra 1961 have won 0, drawn 3 and lost 2 of their last 5 in all competitions.
- Istra are set up to stay tight and compact to absorb Hajduk's pressure and hit on the counter.
Head-to-Head
- Hajduk Split and NK Istra 1961 Pula are set to clash at Poljud on Sunday afternoon.
- Hajduk have won 2 of the last 3 head-to-head matches against Istra, but have failed to win their last 2 home matches against them.
Key Players
- Rokas Pukstas is top scorer in HNL 2026/2027 for Hajduk with 1 goal in 1 game, while Adrion Pajaziti is the top assist provider with 1 assist in 1 game.
- Emil Frederiksen is Istra's danger man, top-scoring in HNL 2026/2027, netting twice in 1 match, and he has also accounted for 2 of Istra's 3 goals in their last 5.
Betting Insights
- Hajduk are the odds-on favourites at 1.34, but Istra are no pushovers and can be a tricky customer on the road, although their odds of 7.9 look a tad short, as does the tie at 5.0, so the value in the game must lie elsewhere.
- The alternative market for Over 2.5 goals at 1.6 is solid, but both teams to score at 1.85 also appeals, as the 2 teams to score bet covers the likelihood of a Hajduk win.
Prediction
Hajduk Split should have too much quality to not beat Istra, but they have failed to beat them in their last 2 matches at Poljud in HNL so there is still a little bite to this rivalry.
