NK Osijek

vs

NK Slaven Belupo

Preview

Osijek (home)

• Fede Bessone has done a fine job at NK Osijek since taking over as head coach on 1 July 2026 and his team have shown enough to suggest they will be a tough nut to crack in the Croatian HNL 2026/2027.
• Osijek are averaging 1.00 goals per home game in the HNL 2026/2027.
• Bessone has Osijek playing in the right areas and on the front foot, with an intense high-tempo press, as well as being adept at transitioning quickly when they win the ball back, which should test the solid Slaven Belupo back line on Sunday.
• Nail Omerovic has been their most reliable finisher with 4 goals in 3 HNL 2026/2027 games, and has 5 of Osijek's 11 goals in the last 5 matches.
• Domagoj Bukvic has also been a danger in behind the strikers, as well as pulling the strings in midfield, with 3 assists in 3 HNL 2026/2027 matches so far this season.

Slaven Belupo (away)

• Slaven are in contrast a much more pragmatic team who have taken time to get to know each other since Mario Gregurina took charge on 1 July 2025.
• However, their current away record of 0 points, 0.00 goals scored and 2.50 conceded per game in the HNL 2026/2027 gives little hope for an away result on Sunday.
• Ilija Nestorovski has been Slaven's main target man this season, netting 2 goals in 4 HNL 2026/2027 appearances, and has scored 2 of his team's 3 goals in the last 5.

Head-to-Head

• Osijek beat Slaven Belupo 2-0 in the corresponding fixture 3 months ago.
• The head-to-head record favours Osijek in the long run, with Osijek having the better of the 5 most recent games (2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss).

Key Players

• Osijek
  • Nail Omerovic - 4 goals in 3 HNL 2026/2027 games and 5 of Osijek's 11 goals in the last 5 matches.
  • Domagoj Bukvic - 3 assists in 3 HNL 2026/2027 matches.
• Slaven Belupo - Ilija Nestorovski - 2 goals in 4 HNL 2026/2027 appearances and 2 of his team's 3 goals in the last 5.

Betting Insights

• Osijek are the clear favourites at 1.63, with Slaven at 4.8 and the draw at 3.94.
• The best bet looks to be Osijek win or under 2.5 goals at 2.26, given the fixture's tendency to be low-scoring and Slaven's away struggles (they are yet to score away in the league this term).

Prediction

• Expect Osijek to be favourites.
• An Osijek win or under 2.5 goals is the sensible call.