NK Istra 1961 Pula

vs

NK Lokomotiva Zagreb

Preview

Istra (home)

• Istra sit third with 29 points from 19 matches and are making a strong bid for European football.
• Oriol Riera has transformed Istra since taking over in September 2025.
• He has installed a 4-2-3-1 system that is high-tempo and aggressive, pressing relentlessly.
• Smail Prevljak has six goals in his last four HNL appearances, taking his tally to 8 in 16 this season.

Lokomotiva (away)

• Lokomotiva are seventh with 22 points from 19 games, seven points behind Istra.
• Nikica Jelavic has emphasised youth development since July 2025 and set up a flexible 3-4-3/4-3-3 system.
• Lokomotiva will aim to control the pace, but results have been mixed under the new coach.
• They have lost both of their previous two away games.

Head-to-Head

• The teams have been evenly matched in their last three HNL meetings, with Istra recording one win and two draws.
• Istra won the most recent meeting 2-1 away three months ago.
• Lokomotiva have failed to win on their two visits to Pula in HNL 2025/2026.

Key Players

• Smail Prevljak is Istra’s main striker with 6 goals in his last 4 HNL appearances and 8 in 16 this season.
• Aleks Stojakovic is Lokomotiva’s top finisher with 6 goals in 19 HNL matches, 3 of them in the past five.

Betting Insights

• Backing the hosts at odds of 2.3 looks the best play for Friday’s game.
• Istra have lost two consecutive home matches, which tempers confidence.
• Lokomotiva’s away record in 2025/26 is W1 D4 L4 from nine HNL games.
• The visitors average 1.11 goals per away game while the hosts average 1.22 goals at home.
• Istra have scored 11 goals in their last four games.

Prediction

• The pick is a home victory for Istra in a close contest.
• Expect a tight game rather than a goal-fest, with both sides capable of scoring.