HNK Rijeka vs HNK Hajduk Split Prediction: Can Home Advantage Witness The Rijeka's White Get On The Scoresheet?

In an effort to avenge their previous defeat at the hands of the visitors, HNK Rijeka prepares for the 11th matchday of the Croatian championship at the Stadion HNK Rijeka.

Will HNK Rijeka be able to atone for their defeat at the hands of the visitors last time out, or will they encounter the same fate and lose at home once more?

Form: DLLLL

While they have yet to impress in the Croatian championship this year, they got off to a strong start at home against Celje in a friendly game by winning 4-0. This was the kind of responsiveness their supporters had hoped for in the Croatian championship, but to no avail.

They and HNK Sibenik shared the spoils in a recent Croatian championship game, but despite having the advantage in possession, they were held to a scoreless draw at home. This came before they suffered a 2-0 loss to Hajduk Split on the road.

As a result of their inconsistent play in recent matches, they have been given a bottom-of-the-table ninth-place ranking in the Croatian standings with six points after ten games played so far, and are separated from HNK Gorica, who is in tenth place, by one point.

They need some sort of intervention before they dig themselves a hole they can't climb out of, as they have only earned one point in their last five games and were on a four-game losing streak before that, losing two straight home games to Osijek and Varazdin.

Form: DWDWL

After a recent 2-2 draw at home against Istra 1961 to split the spoils, they have noticed that their recent form has sputtered a bit and hasn't been as impressive as they would have anticipated because it has been fluctuating constantly, disqualifying it from being considered to be fairly solid.

While they will be disappointed to lose to bottom-of-the-table Rijeka, their road record may act as a barrier to whether they can come away with three points since it has been unconvincing as of late. In the last five games played as they have only accumulated 8 points, one loss, two draws, and two victories.

There will be a lot of pressure on them to produce a convincing victory while trying to close the 11-point gap between them and the table-toppers, Dinamo Zagreb. Their second-place position in the Croatian championship is not fully secured as they sit on 17 points, level on points with NK Slaven Belupo, who sit on third.

• HNK Rijeka has lost three of their last five home matches in the Croatian championship.
• In the Croatian championship, HNK Hajduk Split has won two of their last five away games.
• In the Croatian championship, HNK Rijeka has gone three games without scoring a goal.
• When these two teams meet, the average number of goals scored is 3.6.

HNK Rijeka has won 31 of the last 73 meetings; HNK Hajduk Split has won 20, and there have been 22 draws, with a goal difference of 103-84 in favor of HNK Rijeka.

Another outcome for HNK Rijeka, despite their season-low performance, could be a defeat, this time at home. They had ample opportunity to improve their play in recent games, but they failed to do so, and in our humble opinion, they lack the conviction to be backed for a victory.

HNK Hajduk Split may not be impressed with their performance as such, as their recent draw has put them in a precarious position where they must now defend their second place standing in the Croatian championship standings.

While they may be confident in dealing their hosts another severe blow, as they did last time when they won at home, they have demonstrated much more this season than their opponents, and putting aside their insecurity in away games, a more convincing result is anticipated from them.

As capable and assured as HNK Hajduk Split can be about earning three points, we expect both teams to score along with over 2.5 goals as neither team has displayed a strong defense since the season's beginning. HNK Rijeka has given up 16 goals, while HNK Hajduk Split has given up 11.

• Both Teams To Score + Goals - Over 2.5 for 2.18
• W2 for 1.75
• Corner Handicap - HNK Hajduk Split -1 for 1.90