Hajduk Split vs Osijek Prediction: Both teams are under pressure in this derby

Ahead of us is a clash in the 12th round of the HNL, where Hajduk welcomes Osijek at Poljud in Split. This match brings a tense match between two clubs that will fight for valuable points. The new coach of Osijek, Zoran Zekic, has a clear plan for his team and hopes that they will achieve success in the away game against Hajduk. Although the performance of their best player is questionable, Hajduk still have enough to win three crucial points in front of the home fans against the currently very unstable Osijek, which are in a kind of transition period.

Form: LWWLW

With a game more than Dinamo, Hajduk currently holds the second position, one point behind the leader Rijeka. It was only during the break and in the last few days the fact that Hajduk's best player Marko Livaja has been playing injured and under injections has come to light. His performance is questionable, but it is very good news that the x-factor from the beginning of the season, Rokas Pukstas, is returning to the team. Uremovic and Ferro are still out of the team, which showed excellent tactical skills and calmness, so in this match despite the problems against the very unstable Osijek, they should celebrate with the thunderous support of the home fans. Hajduk, which is currently the second-placed team in the league (a point behind Rijeka), with a series of not-so-great results in recent games, enters this game with the clear goal of winning points. In the last 5 league matches, they achieved only 2 victories, and in the last league match, played just before the representative break, they were defeated in the Adriatic derby in Rujevica with a score of 1-0.

Form: LLWLW

Osijek are preparing for this visit with new coach Zoran Zekic, who clearly expresses his ambition for the team to show its identity and attacking approach to the game. Zekic emphasized the need for communication and energy in the team, and for "the boys to release the brake". Although the coach admitted that he has not yet fully known his players, his plan is clear – to build a team that will be able to compete at the highest level. In the last 5 championship matches, Osijek registered only a win, a draw, and 3 losses, and before the national team break, they beat last-placed Rudes in Osijek 3-0. We are aware that these are friendly matches, but to lose 2:0 against the second division team Vukovar with the best lineup is really worrying, while the heavy 4:0 defeat against Siroki Brijeg isn’t so scary, because in that match Osijek played with juniors. If you know the day by the morning, Zekic has a very difficult task ahead of him, while he is also under a lot of pressure from the local fans, who are generally not satisfied with this season and the management.

This match at Poljud could be one of those matches where we can expect excitement and uncertainty for the entire 90 minutes of the match. Osijek will try to take advantage of the changes introduced by new coach Zekic, while Hajduk aims to maintain their pursuit of first place in the table. Hajduk with or without Livaja are not the same team, and that was seen in the last few games in which their main player was injured. Lacks sharpness and realization in the last third, but that's why the return of Rokas Pukstas should lift the team against Osijek, to win and take all 3 points in front of their fans.