Home - NK Istra 1961 Pula
- 6th placed NK Istra 1961 Pula have 36 points from 29 games in the HNL 2025-2026, while 10th-placed Vukovar 1991 have 21 points from 29 matches.
- NK Istra 1961 Pula have won two and lost three of their last five matches.
- Oriol Riera has done a decent job since taking charge of NK Istra 1961 Pula in September 2025, installing a 4-2-3-1 system with a structured build-up and high-tempo, front-foot pressing that creates turnovers and opportunities on the break.
Away - Vukovar 1991
- Vukovar 1991 are in poor form, winless in their last five (D1, L4).
- Vukovar 1991, who set up in the same formation, are a much more physical team with a direct approach under coach Tomislav Stipic, who took charge in March 2026.
- Jakov Puljic is their main goal threat with 11 strikes in 23 HNL appearances, but Vukovar 1991 have only hit the net eight times in 14 away fixtures in the HNL 2025-2026 at an average of 0.57 per-game.
Head-to-Head
Vukovar 1991 have won one and drawn two of their three games against NK Istra 1961 Pula in the HNL 2025-2026, with the most recent meeting finishing 3-2 to Vukovar 1991.
Key Players
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Home
- Smail Prevljak is their talisman with 11 goals in 26 appearances in the HNL 2025-2026, but there are other threats in the side and they’ve won five, drawn four and lost five of their 14 home matches this season.
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Away
- Jakov Puljic is their main goal threat with 11 strikes in 23 HNL appearances, but Vukovar 1991 have only hit the net eight times in 14 away fixtures in the HNL 2025-2026 at an average of 0.57 per-game.
Betting Insights
- NK Istra 1961 Pula are worthy favourites for this match at 1.95, but we feel the visitors’ directness and physicality could make this game a lot more lively than the odds suggest.
- Both teams to score (Yes) is available at 1.67, and Over 2.5 goals looks a pretty good play at 1.85.
- Vukovar 1991 have lost their most recent away match, but they can be really tough to get the better of when they get their physicality into the game and we’re expecting them to make this one a very open encounter.
Prediction
- In-form goal scorers, and their potential impact on the game, will also be key, so we’re going for goals here.
- The home side are the obvious play at short odds, but we’re hoping for a highly entertaining 90 minutes here with lots of action at both ends.
