Osijek vs Rijeka Prediction: With the victory against Rijeka, Osijek wants to say goodbye to the iconic Gradski vrt stadium

We have reached the end of the season and the 36th round of the SuperSport HNL, in which Osijek says goodbye to their iconic stadium. The match with Rijeka, in addition to parting with the stadium, means a fight to keep the current place in the ranking in front of the club from Kvarner. Osijek and Rijeka have already secured Europe, and all that remains is to determine who will finish in which position in the end. Osijek is currently third with 49 points, and Rijeka is fourth with a point less. This will be an emotional day for Osijek. Farewell to the Gradski vrt follows, and in the last few days, numerous messages of farewell to the iconic stadium could be heard for all the people of Osijek. That is why they are expected to end the season with a win this week, in which they leave their old home before moving to the new stadium Pampas.

Form: WLDWW

Osijek are currently in third position in the table with 49 points, just one more than Rijeka. Osijek have 13 wins, 10 draws, and 12 losses with a goal difference of 45-40. At home, they have 7 wins, 8 draws, and 2 losses with a goal difference of 20-12. Osijek have won 3 of the last 5 games and welcomes Rijeka after a 4-1 triumph away from home in Sibenik. However, Osijek are announcing a record visit on their farewell to Gradski vrt and takes this match very seriously, and will have almost the entire squad at their disposal, with the exception of Zaper and Leovac, who are under question after missing the last two rounds.

Form: LLDWW

Rijeka are in fourth position in the HNL with 48 points. Rijeka have 14 wins, 6 draws, and 15 losses with a goal difference of 43-43. On away games this season, they recorded 8 wins, 2 draws, and 7 losses with a goal difference of 22-20. Rijeka tied two consecutive defeats, 2-0 against Varadin and 2-1 at home against Dinamo in the last round. Behind Rijeka is a fantastic second half-season in which new coach Sergej Jakirovic managed to consolidate the ranks of the stumbling giant. Rijeka were threatened with a struggle for bare survival in the league after the winter, but they rose like a phoenix from the ashes, qualified for Europe with great games and results, and rose to the very top of the league, where they truly belong.

Both teams had a lot of ups and downs during the season and now, with one round to go, they are among the four best teams in the championship. These positions enable them to qualify for European competitions. As the hosts are moving to a new stadium starting next season, there is no doubt that they will have a special motive for the last clash at the anthology stadium Gradski vrt. Both teams are playing without a result imperative, but the host should still win the full spoils in the end due to more motives, better form and thunderous support.