Slaven Belupo
- Slaven Belupo are 5th in HNL 2025/2026, 1 point ahead of 6th placed Istra 1961 Pula.
- Slaven are solid with no-nonsense Mario Gregurina in charge since July 2025, and they have brought in a real counter-attacking style of play to Koprivnica.
- Slaven set up in a 4-2-3-1; they sit in a low-to-mid block and play in a patient, structured and compact manner, looking for opportunities to hit their opponents on the break.
- Slaven are averaging 1.73 goals per game at home in HNL 2025/2026, winning 6, drawing 2 and losing 3 of their 11 matches to date.
Istra 1961
- Istra 1961 have won 4 and lost 6 of their 12 away matches in HNL 2025/2026, conceding 20 goals on the road.
- Istra 1961 have not won in their last 2 away trips to Slaven and they currently sit in the midst of a 3-game losing streak.
- Oriol Riera has made them a much more exciting team to watch since taking over as head coach in September 2025, but results have tailed off slightly and they have won just 1 of their last 5 matches.
- The visitors play an equally structured 4-2-3-1, but Istra 1961 are front-foot and high-pressing, playing at high intensity and trying to win the ball back at the front quickly in order to play their players in behind the defence.
Head-to-Head
Slaven have won 2 and drawn 3 of their last 5 head-to-head HNL meetings with Istra 1961.
Key Players
- With Adriano Jagusic leading the line in Slaven’s attack, Istra 1961 are likely to have more possession than usual and should get chances.
- He has 7 goals in 20 HNL appearances and is a consistent goal threat from the striker position.
- Smail Prevljak is Istra’s main man, and he is worth a look to score anytime after netting 10 times in 20 HNL games, including half of his side’s last 4 goals.
Betting Insights
- The 2.1 on offer for the hosts is more attractive than the 3.35 for the visitors.
- However, both sides are naturally attacking, and with some defensive lapses across both teams’ last 5, Both Teams To Score at 1.7 looks the best bet here.
Prediction
Home field advantage, recent head-to-head record and recent form all suggest that favourites Slaven Belupo should edge out Istra 1961 Pula on Friday.
