Hajduk Split vs Lokomotiva Zagreb Prediction: Difficult challenge for the leader

Despite two consecutive defeats in the championship, Hajduk Split are still at the top of the HNL ranking. This week, Lokomotiva from Zagreb, who won last week, will arrive at Poljud. Can Hajduk get out of the result crisis after very bad games and two consecutive defeats against Istra and Gorica?

Form: LWLWW

Unexpectedly, Hajduk completely stumbled again, and, after the opening five victories, they recorded two consecutive defeats and seriously compromised the current first place. Namely, Dinamo have a game less in the third position and are in great shape for the derby in the next round, so the team from Split faces a crucial match to regain self-confidence and win the crucial three points. After the last incredible turnaround of Gorica and the heavy defeat in the last minutes, Hajduk turned into an abyss and the fans became very dissatisfied. Manager Ivan Leko and best player Marko Livaja are currently under pressure, so the Split’s team needs a serious game in front of the home fans and a celebration in any way possible. 

Form: WWWDL

Manager Silvijo Cabraja remained on the bench for Lokos, who slightly changed the team, but also kept the backbone of the team. After the first seven rounds, they conceded and scored the same number of goals, recording two wins, three draws, and two defeats, which is enough for the lower part of the table and the seventh position. However, it is worth saying that those two victories were achieved in the last two rounds, so Lokomotiva coming to Split in very good shape and will be an unpleasant opponent, especially because of the pressure that will be on the home team. The visitors are traditionally a very demanding opponent for the home team and we believe that an interesting match awaits us in which Hajduk should still prevail. 

Hajduk Split are in a kind of crisis after they were defeated in the last two games after starting five victories. The situation is alarming for Hajduk, who wants to keep the leading position in the standings and will try to routinely beat Lokomotiva, most likely with at least a two-goal difference. According to rumors, the atmosphere in the home team's locker room was disturbed, but we will see if this will hinder them in this crucial match against the seventh-ranked team in the league, which is still a class below them. Considering the tradition and the current form, we decided on the combination that the home team will celebrate and that we will see a minimum of three goals in the match.