Rijeka vs Hajduk Split Prediction: 102 Adriatic derby!

Rijeka and Hajduk will play their 102nd championship Adriatic derby in the HNL on Sunday, September 29, from 21:00 at the Rijeka stadium. A look at the league table, regardless of the early stage of the season, is the best invitation for all fans to follow the game, as well as the announcement of another battle for supremacy on the Adriatic side of Croatia. The history of competition in the Adriatic derbies has been going on since 1946, and it has especially intensified in the last 50 years since Rijeka have been a member of the highest level of football competition.

Form: WWWDL

With manager Radomir Djalovic, the home team recovered from a difficult 0:5 defeat against the Slovenian Olimpija and had successes in the domestic championship. Rijeka are much stronger in the HNL and has a 4-point advantage over Dinamo, and with a triumph against Hajduk, they would remain alone at the top. That is why this match is extremely important for Rijeka, whose squad includes several players of great potential. First of all, we should single out Marc Pasalic, who made it to the national team and will represent a great danger on the right wing. Rijeka has conceded only one goal in seven rounds this season, so the Adriatic derby will be a big test for Hajduk.

Form: WWWWD

Hajduk have been through a lot this summer, but it seems that they are slowly recovering under the leadership of Italian coach Gennaro Gattuso. This is evidenced by the triumph at Maksimir against Dinamo, which significantly raised the confidence of this team. For coach Gennaro Gattuso, this is the third away game at the Rijeka stadium, he remembers well that he there leading Milan, but also won with Napoli. So, it wasn't easy for him even with Serie A trophy clubs, and it won't be with Hajduk either. By the way, Rijeka won the last three Adriatic derbies which adds more pressure on Hajduk to end that run. 

After 101 championship games, Hajduk have one victory (39) more than Rijeka (38), while 24 games ended without a victory. In total, looking at all previous matches in five competitions (championship and cup of the former state, HNL, Croatian Cup, Super Cup), Rijeka and Hajduk played 174 games in which the Split’s team achieved 66 victories, 54 games ended in a draw and 54 with Rijeka's victory. I expect an extremely tough match this Sunday. Both of them will focus on their own goal first, and then only think about scoring a goal on the opposite side. Strikers will have minimal room to maneuver, which is why my betting tips start by recommending under 2.5 goals.