Istra vs Rijeka Prediction: Derby della Uchka

On Friday, March 3, the local derby match "Derby della Uchka" between Istra and Rijeka awaits us at Aldo Drosina stadium. In contrast to previous seasons, the hosts welcome this match as a better-ranked team in the table. After 23 rounds of Supersport HNL, Istra are fifth with a game and a point less than Slaven, who holds the fourth place, the last one leading to Europe. Rijeka are currently seventh, and in the last round at home they suffered their first defeat in the spring part of the season, precisely against Slaven Belupo. It was the first defeat for Sergej Jakirovic, the new Rijeka coach who arrived from Zrinjski from Mostar this winter.

Istra and Rijeka are two teams that did not have any cup obligations and prepared during the midweek to welcome today's clash, which is very important in the European context. As the cup will most likely be won by one of the first three teams on the table and fourth place will guarantee competition in the European preliminary rounds, this means that both opponents are still in a game where three points would mean a lot. Without top scorer Ante Erceg, the Istranians lacked lethality in attack and in the previous round they had to settle for a draw and a point against the unpleasant Sibenik. The suspended attacker will return for this duel, which will immediately significantly improve the chances of the home side celebrating, but even so betting on the winner in this match should be avoided.

The defeat against Slaven Belupo at home can be characterized as a big setback for Rijeka and their European aspirations at this moment. Fortunately, there are still a handful of matches and points available in the hunt for third and fourth place, and a victory in this match would be very useful for them. It would bring them closer to just one point from the European zone and tie them in the table with the home team. A week ago, the Slaven Belupo’s long black streak ended on Rijeka's back, but despite the setback in the last round, in this match they have a good chance for redemption. They will have a hard time taking advantage of this chance in one of the most interesting clashes in the new part of the championship against the best defense in the league, but at this moment in the neighboring derby in hot Pula, they would certainly be satisfied with one point.

We believe that a cautious atmosphere and a defensive approach will prevail in this important clash for European places. Rijeka raised its defensive level after the change of coach, primarily due to the addition of Emir Dilaver, who brought peace to the unstable back line. Istra looks strong in the defensive segment, which is confirmed by the fact that in a total of six championship rounds after the break, they conceded a goal in only two matches.