NK Lokomotiva Zagreb
- NK Lokomotiva Zagreb have had a poor start to the season, sitting 7th in the table with six points from six games, while HNK Rijeka have taken ten from five games to place 5th in the HNL 2026/2027 table.
- Lokomotiva will certainly be looking to exploit any complacency from Rijeka after their defeat to the Danes, but they have lost their confidence from two 0-2 and 1-2 away defeats to Hajduk Split and Slaven respectively, which will have rattled them a bit.
HNK Rijeka
- Rijeka travel north to Zagreb full of confidence after a 4-1 victory over Osijek in their last HNL 2026/2027 outing, but their form has been inconsistent overall.
- The Bijeli drew their opening HNL 2026/2027 away game at Gorica, but then lost 1-4 to Midtjylland in UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026.
- Rijeka are in better form than Lokomotiva overall, having won 2, drawn 1, and lost 2 of their last 5 matches in all competitions, while Lokomotiva have won just 1 and lost 4.
Head-to-Head
- Rijeka have dominated this fixture in the last few years, winning 3 of the last 5 matches and drawing the other two, while they beat Lokomotiva 3-0 in this fixture away in HNL 2025/2026.
- The hosts have not won any of their last 3 home games against Rijeka, so it is hard to make them the most likely winner here.
Key Players
- Nikica Jelavić's Lokosi have looked to use the width of the field and plenty of direct forward runs to get their goals this season and they have a sharp finisher in Noel Djurkovic, who has scored 2 of their last 4 goals in the last 5 games.
- Matjaz Kek's team also have a real two-way threat in Toni Fruk, who has bagged 3 assists in the club's last 5 games.
Betting Insights
- Rijeka are a clear favorite for this game at 1.57, although Lokomotiva should probably be shorter than their current 5.28 quote for the win.
- The draw looks a good option at 4.05, however, and this game will still feel like a toss-up to the participants.
- Under 2.5 goals and both teams to score no also fit the cagey edge that Rijeka can give to a game.
Prediction
- Rijeka's superior form and H2H record make them the likelier winner, although the home team's unbeaten home record means this match cannot be classed as a banker.
- So the best lean for this contest must be Rijeka to win.