Istra 1961 vs Dinamo Zagreb Prediction: Dinamo are too strong for Istra

Dinamo are facing Istra 1961 from 19:30 in the tenth round of the SuperSport HNL. Dinamo are currently the third team in the championship ranking and are two points behind the leader Hajduk. Istra are in sixth position with eight points less than Dinamo. Before the match, Dinamo's coach Nenad Bjelica addressed the media and emphasized that the concentration is completely on this match, and not on the one on Wednesday, when Dinamo visits Salzburg in the third round of the Champions League. Istra are focused entirely on this duel, and they are certain that they will end the bad run against Dinamo of 5 defeats in a row in all competitions.

Form: WWDLL

With two other teams, Istra shares the worst attack and the worst defense in the league, but despite this, they are sixth with 11 points. The green and yellow team brought in two new players during the international break, who almost certainly, will not be starters in this match, but depending on the trend of the results, they could enter the game. Bogdan has a lot of Serie B experience, and Bjelanovic has been asking for him for a while, while Poko is a proven value in European football. Istra beat Osijek 2-1 before going to the championship break, thus ending a streak of three games without a win (two defeats and a draw).

Form: WDWWL

Seven wins, if we also count that game, in which he did not lead from the bench due to a penalty, but he is doing well. That's how many Nenad Bjelica had with Dinamo against Istra 1961. Three times at Drosina, twice very convincingly (4-0 and 4-1). Yes, there were different times, a different team, and a different opponent, however, Dinamo's advantage should not be diminished ahead of the new away game in Pula. It is always interesting to see what kind of team Dinamo's manager will send to the field after the national team break and a few days before an important European match. There aren’t too many reasons to rotate the team, they had a two-week break, did mini-preparations, and, logically, the best team at the moment will run on the pitch. Apart from Nevistic and Petkovic, who are injured and will be rested before the match against Salzburg. In the last round Dinamo won against Varazdin away and now are in 3rd place with 19 points, 2 less than Hajduk.

So far, Dinamo and Istra 1961, have played 63 games in the HNL and achieved 47 victories, with 12 draws and 4 defeats. The goal difference is 140-30. Away from home, Dinamo beat Istra in 19 games, drew 9 times, and lost 4 times, with a goal difference of 52-18. Considering these stats, current squads, and form, anything else but an away win will be a very big surprise. Dinamo got back on track right before the international break, and I think that they will continue so in this match and the next matches in the HNL.