Before the Round – Trends on Croatia HNL (22-23/07)

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The Croatia HNL kicks off this weekend, with a full slate of games, and reigning champions Dinamo Zagreb are looking for another league title.

Dinamo won the league by 10 points over Hajduk Split. Osijek and Rijeka came third and fourth, respectively. Will this season see a change at the top?

HNK Rijeka - NK Rudeš

HNK Rijeka will host NK Rudeš on opening day. Rijeka have a strong head-to-head record against Rudeš across their last six meetings. HNK posted a record of five wins and one loss. Rijeka won their last four head-to-head games against Rudeš.

NK Rudeš won the Croatian second division last season and were promoted to the top flight for the 2023-24 campaign. After several years in the wilderness of the second division, Rudeš have returned.

HNK Rijeka ended the campaign fourth in 2022-23. Despite finishing fourth, Rijeka had a record of 14W-7D-15L and a goal difference of zero. Rijeka were not a strong home team. They recorded 22 points from 18 home matches, the second-fewest home points in the division.

• HNK Rijeka haven't lost in 6 of their last 7 home games in 1. HNL.
• Rudeš Zagreb have managed to win just 1 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
• HNK Rijeka have succeeded in winning by 2 or more goals in their last 4 home games against Rudeš Zagreb in 1. HNL.
• Both teams have scored in 5 of Rudeš Zagreb's last 6 fixtures in all competitions.
• Prediction: HNK Rijeka

NK Osijek - NK Slaven Belupo

The last six matches between NK Osijek and NK Slaven Belupo were divided into two wins, two draws, and two losses. Last season, NK Slaven Belupo picked up four points from six on offer. The last two games between these clubs at Osijek ended in nil-nil draws.

NK Osijek finished third last season in the table, with 49 points from 36 games. They ended the season unbeaten in their final four home matches and had an overall home record of 7W-8D-2L.

NK Slaven Belupo ended the season in eighth place. They failed to win any of their final six HNL games. Slevan struggled on the road, winning just five times from 18 away fixtures.

• NK Osijek are undefeated in 16 of their last 18 home 1. HNL games.
• In their 4 most recent matches in 1. HNL, Slaven Belupo have seen under 2.5 goals scored.
• NK Osijek are on a poor run of just 3 wins in 17 matches (1. HNL).
• There have been under 2.5 goals in 4 of Slaven Belupo's last 6 games.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score - No

HNK Gorica - NK Varaždin

History is on HNK Gorica’s side, as the home team went unbeaten in the last six matches between these clubs. NK Varaždin will go to Gorica in hopes of ending the home team winning trend.

HNK Gorica finished ninth in the 10-team league last season, with 32 points from 36 games. Gorica conceded the third-most goals in the competition (50).

NK Varaždin ended last season in sixth place. They had a record of 12W-10D-14L and a goal difference of –10. NK Varaždin conceded the league’s second-most goals (51).

• HNK Gorica have not suffered any defeats in their 8 most recent home 1. HNL matches.
• In their last 7 away games in 1. HNL, NK Varaždin have recorded only 1 wins.
• HNK Gorica are unbeaten in 10 of their last 11 home matches in 1. HNL.
• NK Varaždin have managed to win just 2 of their last 6 games in the league.
• Prediction: HNK Gorica

NK Lokomotiva Zagreb - NK Istra 1961

NK Lokomotiva Zagreb went unbeaten in their last six games against NK Istra 1961, posting a record of three wins and three draws. Loko won each of their last two home games against Istra.

NK Istra 1961 had a solid season in 2022-23. They finished fifth, securing 46 points from 36 matches. NK Istra scored just 36 goals, the third-fewest in the division.

NK Lokomotiva Zagreb were seventh in the HNL’s final league table. Loko had difficulty keeping goals out, conceding 50 times. It was tied for the third-most goals conceded. NK Lokomotiva Zagreb did have a winning home record of 8W-4D-6L.

• Lokomotiva Zagreb have not been beaten at half time in their last 14 straight matches in 1. HNL.
• In their last 14 away games in 1. HNL, Istra 1961 have recorded only 1 wins.
• Lokomotiva Zagreb are unbeaten in 8 of their 9 most recent clashes against Istra 1961 in 1. HNL.
• Istra 1961 are in an unfortunate period, having won just 2 of their last 11 matches in 1. HNL.
• Prediction: Lokomotiva Zagreb