Dinamo Zagreb vs Rijeka Prediction: Can Dinamo end bad form against Rijeka?

GNK Dinamo and HNK Rijeka will play in a derby match of the 26th round of the SuperSport HNL on Sunday, March 18, 2023 at 17:30 at the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb. Dinamo Zagreb have a big advantage at the top of the table and is moving towards a new title in the HNL, but because of that, they probably relaxed, which cost them two defeats in the last two matches. An extremely interesting Sunday awaits us in Maksimir. The "Tsunami" from Rijeka arrives in the home of “Blues”, which carries everything before it this spring, and Dinamo are in a crisis of results, they urgently need a victory, that will revive them. The club's symbol, the blue legend Arijan Ademi, is saying goodbye this Sunday, after 13 years in the blue jersey. It is really a match where Dinamo’s fans should gather in large numbers.

Dinamo Zagreb have been at the top of the HNL standings since the first round of the season. The Blues have 56 points, which is 9 more than Hajduk, which are in second place. Dinamo have so far achieved 17 wins, 5 draws and 3 losses in the season with a goal difference of 61-24. After only one defeat in 23 rounds of the season, Dinamo tied two in a row, 2-1 against Sibenik and 1-0 against Istra. In spite of two consecutive defeats, Dinamo Zagreb have a significant advantage at the top of the table, but they must definitely return in the right form because there is still a lot left until the end of the championship.

Rijeka are one of the most unpredictable teams in the HNL. Rijeka is currently in 6th place in the ranking with 34 points. So far, the team from Rijeka has achieved 10 wins, 4 draws and 11 losses with a goal difference of 31-33. Rijeka won 4 of the last 5 games and travels to Zagreb after a 3-1 triumph against Varazdin.

No one could have expected that Dinamo could tie two consecutive defeats, regardless of the fact that they practically already secured another title in the HNL with one foot. However, the Blues play for more than just the result and the game against Rijeka is very important for them. The current champions must not allow a fourth consecutive game without a win, but Rijeka aren’t easy opponent. After the desperate first part of the season, Rijeka improved a lot and are currently on a streak of 4 wins in the last 5 games. Nevertheless, Dinamo is playing for honor in this game and will manage to show who is still the best team in Croatia and register three new points.