Vukovar 1991

vs

NK Istra 1961 Pula

Preview

Vukovar 1991 (home)

• With Silvijo Čabraja’s appointment as manager in September 2025, the survival-first philosophy he has instilled has already turned Vukovar 1991 into a difficult team to beat.
• Their 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 system has been pragmatic, organised and a real threat from set pieces.
• Vukovar 1991 has conceded 11 goals from 9 HNL 2025/2026 home games.
• Their most recent result here was a win, offering some hope to their fans.

NK Istra 1961 Pula (away)

• Oriol Riera’s Istra have been a breath of fresh air since his arrival to the club in September 2025.
• The 4-2-3-1 system he employs plays at a high tempo with the team pressing hard and bursting into the opposition half at speed to try and force errors.

Head-to-Head

• The current HNL 2025/2026 table suggests that NK Istra 1961 Pula (3rd, 30pts) are superior to Vukovar 1991 (15pts).
• Both previous HNL 2025/2026 meetings between the sides have finished level, including a 1-1 draw at Istra’s home.

Key Players

• Smail Prevljak - netted 9 times in 17 league appearances so far this campaign and 4 times in his last 4 games.
• Jakov Puljić - the tall, powerful focal point for Vukovar on 7 goals in 15 HNL 2025/2026 appearances, 3 of which have come in his last 6 matches.

Betting Insights

• Istra priced at 2.24 and Vukovar at 3.00 for the win.
• Both Teams To Score is available at 1.65.
• Istra have won 2 on the road in a row, including a 2-1 success at Hajduk Split.

Prediction

• A clash between a patient, risk-averse system and a relentless pressing side could come down to one transition or set piece.
• We’re going for an upset: Vukovar 1991 to cause problems and push for a positive result in front of their fans.