Gorica vs Istra 1961 Prediction: Both teams are in a phase of transformation

The last match of the 11th round of the HNL will be played at 8:30 p.m., between Gorica - Istra 1961. In the previous round, Gorica were defeated 2:1 away from Varazdin, while Istra played a great match with Dinamo in Pula. It ended 2:2 but Istra were very disappointed by the referees in that match. However, at the moment both teams are in the focus, but not because of the football, more about politics and new structures and owners.

Form: LWLWL

Gorica are in the penultimate place with eight points, two more than Slaven Belupo and one less than Lokomotiva, and with a win they have the opportunity to jump one place above. The news about the privatization of the team, new rich investors, and owners, additionally stimulates the motivational adrenaline of their players and the environment. However, Gorica are very bad this season, they already changed the manager, but it’s hard to believe that this team will make something very special before the winter break. Gorica won the only points so far in the matches at home they have 2 wins, 2 draws, and a defeat, but it might not be enough to avoid relegation if they continue in that style.

Form: DWWDL

After the stories about referees, and Turkish interests, the atmosphere of Istra 1961 turned to football. Paolo Tramezzani and his players did a long week of preparation considering that the game is on Sunday, in Velika Gorica. The six players that he couldn't count on in the last round due to health problems joined training this week, Dario Maresic did the penalty due to yellow cards, and it also turned out that the "clash" with Bruno Petković was not so serious that it would remove Lovra Majkic today from the green-yellow goal. When we add to that the fact that Luka Bogdan and Andre Poko, after their debut against the Blues, are richer for a week of training with their new teammates, Istra looks complete. They are currently in 7th place with 12 points.

Both teams desperately need points, Gorica even more, but the truth is that at the moment Istra are looking like a more compatible, organized team at the moment. In their last 5 matches, each team have 2 wins, and usually, the hosts take all 3 points. In this match, it’s difficult to predict the winner, but it certainly will be an interesting duel, between two offensive-oriented teams and I expect to see at least 3 goals in the match.