NK Slaven Belupo vs HNK Hajduk Split Prediction: The Masters From The Sea To Wrap It Up With A Convincing Road Victory

With the half-season break due, HNK Hajduk Split will make their final road trip to Gradski Stadion u Koprivnici to face NK Slaven Belupo for the 17th matchday of the Croatian championship.

Let's have a look at the latest Croatia 1.HNL predictions between NK Slaven Belupo vs HNK Hajduk Split, probable lineups, match facts and up to date betting odds for you to consider!

NK Slaven Belupo

Form: DDWWL 

In the Croatian Cup round of 16, they showed their talent against lower-tier NK Nedelisce, winning 0-6 on the road thanks in large part to a memorable brace from 20-year-old Luka Bransteter.

The most recent match they participated in in the Croatian championship ended in a scoreless draw against Lokomotiva Zagreb. And while there was a share of the spoils, it wasn't the kind of result they had anticipated getting against a team that was already at a disadvantage with ten men on the field 22 minutes into the second half. 

With 16 games played so far and a total of 25 points earned, they have comfortably climbed to fourth place, and it appears that their chances of competing for the title are dwindling as they carry a 13-point deficit. However, they are only three points short of a third-place finish, so they must be cautious lest they fall to fifth, where NK Varazdin are just three points behind them in the standings.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 5-2-3

I. Covic (25); T. Oliveira (30), M. Kocijan (17), A. Bosec (33), M. Zirdum (2), V. Soldo (22); M. Marina (4), R. Mudrazija (10); Z. Kvrzic (16), I. Krstanovic (99), A. Hoxha (9).

HNK Hajduk Split

Form: WDWDW

In their final appearance at the Stadion Poljud against NK Osijek, they put up a much-needed fight in front of their home fans, winning 3-1 and proving to be the better team in that match as their performance exceeded expectations.

While they may be disappointed by Dinamo Zagreb's recent success, which saw them clinch a win, it has only put a toll on them once more in terms of narrowing the point gap, as they now find themselves 4 points less off a first-place finish as they occupy 2nd place with 34 points, while the distance between them and 3rd place NK Osijek has been safely distanced by a 7 point deficit.

Mislav Karoglan will be happy to learn that his team is still within striking distance of the league's top-ranked team, Dinamo Zagreb. With a victory, they could cut the point differential to just one point, and this is all possible because of the admirable play his team has shown over the course of the team's last five games, in which they have amassed 11 points, putting them in excellent shape.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 5-4-1

K. Sentic (30); D. Colinha (4), C. Awaziem (25), D. Melnjak (17), D. Mikanovic (24), S. Simic (8); E. Sahiti (77), F. Krovinovic (23), L. Grgic (14), J. Vukanovic (4); M. Livaja (10)

Match Facts

• Seven of their previous meetings ended in a 1-1 tie, with NK Slaven Belupo playing at home.
• In the Croatian championship, NK Slaven Belupo is unbeaten in his last six games.
• In the Croatian championship, HNK Hajduk Split is unbeaten in their last six away games.
• In their last three home matches, NK Slaven Belupo has yet to lose a match against HNK Hajduk Split.
• The average number of goals scored in meetings between NK Slaven Belupo and HNK Hajduk Split is 3.4.
• NK Slaven Belupo scores 1.05 goals on average at home, while HNK Hajduk Split scores 2.07 goals on average away.

Head-To-Head

In the last 68 meetings, NK Slaven Belupo has won 8 times, HNK Hajduk Split has won 35 times, and there have been 25 draws, with HNK Hajduk Split winning by a goal difference of 107-54.

Expert Betting Tips

As the season comes to a hiatus, this matchup should be very entertaining, as Slaven Belupo will undoubtedly give the visitors a run for their money. In their six home games against the visitors, Slaven Belupo have put up a valiant fight that has portrayed them as an obstinate team as they have only lost once while winning three and drawing two.

In the previous five games, HNK Hajduk Split has performed admirably, as have their opponents going into this match. They are in a good position to close the gap between them and the league leaders, Dinamo Zagreb, and while their victory is unquestionable, a fierce battle can be anticipated from them.

With a huge quality gap between these two sides and HNK Hajduk Split coming out on top, expect a convincing win from the visitors this time around once more.

• Full-time Result - HNK Hajduk Split for 1.75
• Both Teams To Score (No) for 1.82
• Goals - Under 2.5 for 1.83