Istra 1961 vs HNK Rijeka prediction

Istra 1961 have won four, drawn four and lost four of their 12 HNL games so far, scoring 21 and letting in 18. That has them 6th on 16 points.

Their last six in all competitions read three wins, one draw and two defeats, at 1.7 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per game. Last time out they beat Neretva Metković 3-0 at home; before that came a 2-0 win away at NK Slaven Belupo and a 2-2 draw at home to HNK Hajduk Split.

Istra 1961 are unbeaten in three. Two clean sheets in that spell, but they also drew a blank twice. At home they've won one of three recently (5 scored, 3 conceded).

So far in the HNL, HNK Rijeka have won five, drawn three and lost three of 11, with 18 goals scored and 15 conceded, good for 5th place and 18 points.

Over the last six matches it has been three wins, one draw and two defeats, averaging 2.0 goals for and 1.5 against. Last time out they drew 1-1 with NK Varazdin; before that came a 2-1 defeat away at Dinamo Zagreb and a 4-1 win away at Karlovac 1919.

The defence is a worry: they have conceded in each of their last five. On the road they've won two of four recently (8 scored, 8 conceded).

There isn't much between Istra 1961's home form and HNK Rijeka's away form. Two points separate the two sides in the table.

We make HNK Rijeka favourites at 42%, with Istra 1961 on 25% and the draw at 33%. They're favoured rather than expected to stroll it.

On goals, it expects around 2.7 in the game: 1.0 for Istra 1961 and 1.6 for HNK Rijeka. Over 2.5 goals is 49% and both teams scoring 51%. When they last met, on 23 Aug 2026, HNK Rijeka won 3-2.