Home - NK Istra 1961 Pula
- NK Istra 1961 Pula are 5th with 12 points from as many games.
- Istra 1961 are unbeaten at home this HNL season, with 3 wins and a draw from 4 games.
- Istra have won their last three home games, having seen off NK Varazdin 1-0 in their most recent home assignment, and this solid home form should be considered for NK Istra 1961 Pula vs HNK Hajduk Split betting tips.
Away - HNK Hajduk Split
- HNK Hajduk Split are 2nd on 19 points after 9 HNL 2025-2026 games.
- Hajduk have two wins, one draw and two defeats from their last five games, and have won their two most recent matches in a row, which is also worth noting in NK Istra 1961 Pula vs HNK Hajduk Split betting tips.
Head-to-Head
- NK Istra 1961 Pula took a 1-0 upset at HNK Hajduk Split in the Croatian top-flight just five months ago and the Pula-based side could do it again on Sunday, as our NK Istra 1961 Pula vs HNK Hajduk Split prediction suggests.
- Istra’s recent record against Hajduk is strong, but they are winless in their previous two at this venue against Hajduk Split, which could be a psychological barrier.
Key Players
- Hajduk Split play in a controlled, possession-based style and use their full-backs to stretch the field and create overloads.
- Istra have added intensity under coach Oriol Riera, pressing higher up the pitch to win the ball back quickly.
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Key players:
- Stjepan Loncar - Istra’s main man up front with 3 HNL goals in nine games.
- Rokas Pukstas - Hajduk’s midfielder leading the scoring with 4 goals in nine appearances.
Betting Insights
- Despite Hajduk’s higher league position, their away form makes backing the visitors at 2.1 less appealing.
- Istra 1961 have won three of their four home league games and are available at 3.54.
- The draw is on offer at 3.18.
- Istra score an average of 1.50 goals per home game (six total), while Hajduk have netted just three times in three away HNL fixtures, making the under 2.5 bet attractive at 1.61.
Prediction
It will be a chess match between Istra’s high press and Hajduk’s controlled build-up, and the smart plays are to back Istra at 3.54 or take the under 2.5 at 1.61 .
