Dinamo Zagreb vs Hajduk Split Prediction: Derby like never before in Zagreb

The second and third placed teams of the HNL, Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split, meet in one of the biggest derbies in Croatian football. The game will be crucial in the fight for the top of the table, with both teams going into the match with fluctuating form. This season's third big HNL derby is ahead of us. This Sunday, Dinamo are looking for their first win against Hajduk, because the team of Split won the previous two matches between them. Home coach Fabio Cannavaro is under a lot of pressure. He took over the bench less than two months ago, and he has already lost the trust of the fans. It happened after a convincing defeat in the championship against Rijeka, as well as due to relegation from Osijek in the Croatian Cup.

Dinamo Zagreb

Form: LLWWW

Dinamo are six points behind Hajduk in the standings and anything but a win will put them in a very difficult position in the rest of the competition. That's why Cannavaro has to mobilize his team for this derby. The only question that remains is who will be on the pitch from the first minute. Sandro Kulenović should be in the center of the attack, given that Wilfried Kanga is suspended. Dinamo are in a turbulent period after they recorded two consecutive defeats in the league and the Cup. Last weekend, they suffered a heavy defeat against Rijeka (4-0), in a game in which they were one player short early on. Wilfried Kanga received a second yellow card in the 37th minute, which completely changed the course of the game. In the current part of the season, Dinamo have shown a solid home form, but they concede an average of 1 goal per game on their home field, which could be worrying against Hajduk, who come with a clear goal in Zagreb.

Hajduk Split

Form: LWDWL

Hajduk demolished Osijek 4-0 last weekend, with goals from Uremovic, Livaja and Biuk. However, their form is quite uneven - in the previous six games, they have achieved only two victories in all competitions. Statistically speaking, Hajduk often plays games with few goals. 73% of their away games ended with less than three goals, while in the last six meetings with Dinamo there were always less than 2.5 goals. Gennaro Gattuso is under the same pressure on the Hajduk bench as his compatriot in Dinamo. Namely, the team from Split were easily eliminated in the Cup from Rijeka and seems rather unconvincing in the championship in 2025. The great victory against Osijek greatly improved the mood, but Hajduk Split still seems quite vulnerable.

Expert Betting Tips

Despite the desperate results in the last matches, bookmakers still see Dinamo as a clear favorite in this derby with Hajduk. I, on the other hand, believe that another trench battle between these rivals awaits us. Namely, in the last five games, no more than one goal was seen in the derbies between Zagreb and Split. Under the challenging maximization conditions for the game, it should be repeated. That's why my betting tips recommend a bet on under 2.5 goals in the match, and both teams not to score a goal.

Our prediction for the match is under 2.5 goals for the odds of 1.85 at Bet365.

Our second prediction is both teams to score goals - No for odds of 1.9 at Betway.

Our third prediction – a draw for odds of 3.64 at 1xbet.