HNK Gorica (home)
- HNK Gorica sit ninth in HNL 2026/2027 with five points from eight games and are only one better off than 10th-placed Rudes, who have four after as many games.
- Mario Carevic has had more time at the helm of Gorica since taking over on 15 October 2024 and his team look the more cohesive unit in comparison to Rudes.
- Carevic has set his team up to play a measured 4-2-3-1 structure in which they build-up in a controlled manner from their two pivot men in front of the defence.
Rudes (away)
- The visitors are led by Alen Peternac, who took charge on 1 January 2026 and has instilled a pragmatic, results-first mindset on the players.
- The visitors will sit deep and look to get men behind the ball before trying to spring an attack when they win the ball back.
- Rudes are still seeking their first away win in HNL 2026/2027, having won nothing, drawn nothing and lost four of their games on the road so far.
Head-to-Head
- Gorica have won 3 of the last 4 head-to-heads with Rudes, who have won once and there has been no draw in the same period.
- Rudes have failed to win either of their last 2 HNL trips to HNK Gorica (L2).
Key Players
Bruno Bogojevic has been Gorica's sharpest player and top goalscorer in HNL 2026/2027 with three in eight, but Lenny Ilecic has been Rudes' most reliable finisher with two in eight.
Betting Insights
- Gorica are available at 1.58, which is too short for our tastes as they are the clear favorites to beat 5.25 Rudes with 4.43 the draw.
- The hosts have conceded six times in four home games so far, while Rudes have conceded 2.75 goals per away game in HNL 2026/2027, so we can expect some goals to be scored here.
Prediction
- We will back the home team to edge this but Rudes' abysmal away record and lack of momentum makes us look for a safer play in Gorica to win and over 1.5 goals.
- Gorica drew 2-2 at home to Varazdin and won 1-0 away over Istra 1961 in their most recent league games and there is a chance that they can find some bite on Friday.