Istra 1961 vs Osijek Prediction: Can Istra finally win?

Istra have had a disastrous start to the season and needs to improve their form as soon as possible in order not to get stuck at the bottom of the table. Osijek are in much better shape, but they lost catastrophically in the Conference League last week. Istra conceded 9 goals in the last two games and will have to improve their form in order not to suffer another heavy defeat when Osijek visits on Sunday. Osijek have a very demanding start to the season because, in addition to the HNL, they also play in the qualification for the Conference League where they suffered a very embarrassing defeat which shocked everyone in the club.

Form: LLDWL

Istra are currently in ninth position in the HNL with only one point won in 3 rounds played. At the opening of the season, Istra played 1-1 on the road in Zagreb against Lokomotiva, which was a solid result, but after that, two convincing defeats followed, namely 3-0 at home against Dinamo and 6-0 on the road in Rijeka in the last round. Last season they had a great start and first part of the season but at the end, they were playing very badly. However, expectations are that this team has the capacity for more and the current position isn’t a realistic one for them.

Form: LWWWW

Osijek are in second place in the HNL ranking and is one of the four teams with 6 points. Osijek have the maximum effect after two played rounds, as they won against Slaven Belupo 6-1 in the opening match, and after that against Rudes 4-3 after a negative of 3-1. Osijek managed to beat the Hungarian Zalaegerszegi twice in the second round of the Conference League qualification, but after that, they were defeated 5-1 by Adana in the first match of the third round of the qualification. It was very unexpected as this team has very big ambitions for this season especially now when they moved to the new stadium.

Osijek have had a solid start to the season, but according to everything, the European competitions will slip away again after a big defeat in the first game of the third round of the Conference league qualification against Turkey's Adana. The focus of the team is definitely on the second leg, but in the meantime, they have to play an away game against Istria. The hosts are in desperate shape and have scored only one goal in the previous three games. Osijek are certainly a better team, and certainly they are closer to win, but in this match it’s better to play on under 2.5 goals.