Slaven Belupo vs Rijeka Prediction: Can Rijeka be stopped in Koprivnica?

The break for international matches is over, which means we are back to the exciting denouement of the Croatian HNL. One of the important matches this weekend is certainly the one in Koprivnica, where Slaven will welcome the leading Rijeka. On Saturday at 8:45 p.m., Rijeka visits Slaven Belupo as part of the 27th round of the SuperSport HNL. The leading team of the championship will have a tough challenge, and immediately next week, they will play two more games, one in the Croatian Football Cup and another in the league. The hosts also have a busy schedule but are under much less pressure than Rijeka.

Slaven Belupo

Form: WWLDW

Slaven Belupo have three big games in Koprivnica within just eight days. First up are Rijeka on Saturday, then on Wednesday, they will face Osijek in the semi-finals of the Cup, and next Saturday, Hajduk will be the guest in Koprivnica. Against Rijeka is the most difficult, and perhaps on the other hand also the easiest game since Slaven Belupo have nothing to lose and are huge underdogs against the leader of the league. Slaven Belupo, led by Mario Kovacevic, can be satisfied with their results. Experts said that the team of Koprivnica are ready to drop out of the first league this season, but the players of Slaven impressively denied them. Instead of fighting for survival, Slaven Belupo are fighting for places that lead to Europe. They are in fifth place with 35 points, the same as fourth-placed Varazdin. In the last five matches in the league, they have three wins, a draw, and only one defeat.

Rijeka

Form: WDDWW

Rijeka, under the leadership of coach Radomir Djalovic, returned to the top of the championship with a convincing victory against Hajduk. Rijeka did the same against Dinamo, so many began to believe that they could win the championship. However, the failures against Gorica and Sibenik confirm that this team is unpredictable. Djalovic is aware that Rijeka must no longer waste points against those from the middle or bottom of the table. That's why he will ask for maximum commitment from his players on Saturday. The visiting team will once again be led by the dangerous Toni Fruk offensively, a young footballer who was called up to the senior team for the first time two weeks ago. Rijeka have only two points more than Hajduk and five more than Dinamo Zagreb in the race for the title.

Expert Betting Tips

Because of the situation in the ranking and because of the players, bookmakers see Rijeka as the favorite in this match. But with quite solid odds. I agree that Djalovic's team have more quality than their rivals. It is true, Slaven proved to be a tough nut to crack in the domestic championship this season, but the impression is that Rijeka's game do not suit them excessively. That's why my betting tips start by recommending a bet on the victory of Rijeka. It could be another tough game with few goals in which Slaven Belupo take part, just like recently against Dinamo and I think it will be another match with very few goals.

Our prediction for the match is an away win for the odds of 1.9 at 1xbet.

Our second prediction is under 1.5 for odds of 2.75 at Bet365.

Our third prediction correct score 0:1 for odds of 6 at Betway.