NK Varazdin

vs

HNK Hajduk Split

Preview

NK Varazdin

• NK Varazdin have won three and lost two of their last five HNL matches and are on a two-game losing streak.
• NK Varazdin have won one and lost one of their last two home HNL games.
• This season they have lost 3 of 11 home league matches, conceded 17 goals (an average of 1.55 per game) and hold a home record of 5 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses.

HNK Hajduk Split

• Hajduk Split have won three and lost two of their last five HNL games and arrive on a three-match winning run.
• Hajduk Split are second in the table with 46 points from 23 games.
• Away this season they have 6 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats from 11 road trips, conceding only 11 goals (a 1.00 goals-against average).

Head-to-Head

• The last meeting finished 1-1 at Stadion Poljud.
• Over the clubs’ last five encounters Varazdin have won two and lost one.
• The previous game saw Varazdin use a 4-2-3-1 to counter Hajduk’s 4-3-3, producing a stylistic rivalry between a compact counter-attacking side and a possession-based, high-pressing unit.
• Hajduk have failed to win any of their last three trips to Varazdin.

Key Players

• Ivan Mamut has scored 8 goals in 22 HNL appearances for NK Varazdin, with three of those in the club’s last seven goals.
• Michele Sego has 10 goals in 21 HNL appearances for Hajduk this season.
• Rokas Pukštas has contributed 2 goals in his last five outings for Hajduk.

Betting Insights

• Hajduk Split are favourites at 2.05, NK Varazdin are 3.45, and the draw is 3.2.
• Over 2.5 goals is priced at 2.05 and looks value given Hajduk’s attacking form and Varazdin’s defensive vulnerabilities.
• Hajduk’s superior away record and current winning run support backing the visitors, while Varazdin’s head-to-head form and home compactness keep an upset plausible.

Prediction

• Hajduk Split are the likely favourites to take points given their form and away record.
• NK Varazdin have the structure to frustrate and could make this tight, so expect a competitive, potentially high-scoring encounter.