HNK Rijeka vs NK Slaven Belupo Prediction & Preview

HNK Rijeka vs NK Slaven Belupo Preview & Prediction

The upcoming Cup clash between HNK Rijeka and NK Slaven Belupo promises to be an intriguing encounter as both sides look to assert their dominance and progress further in the competition. With recent meetings between these two teams producing tight contests, this fixture carries significant weight. HNK Rijeka, under the guidance of coach Đalović, have shown a consistent ability to control matches, while NK Slaven Belupo, led by coach Kovačević, will be eager to overturn recent setbacks and showcase their resilience away from home.

HNK Rijeka’s recent form under Đalović highlights a team that is tactically disciplined and efficient in front of goal. Over their last five matches, Rijeka have secured three wins, including a 2-0 victory over Slaven Belupo in the league just days ago and a narrow 1-0 away win against Sibenik. Their Cup performances have been steady, with a 1-1 draw away at Slaven Belupo illustrating their capacity to manage high-pressure situations. Đalović’s approach seems to emphasize solid defensive organization combined with swift attacking transitions, which has paid off in tight matches. This tactical balance makes Rijeka a formidable opponent, especially when playing at home, where they have demonstrated consistency both in scoring and maintaining clean sheets.

On the other side, NK Slaven Belupo’s form guide under Kovačević reveals a side that has experienced mixed fortunes recently. Despite suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb and a 4-1 loss to Osijek, they bounced back impressively with a 4-0 home victory over HNK Gorica, showcasing their potential firepower. However, their away performance has been less convincing, as evidenced by losses against Rijeka and other strong teams. In the Cup context, their 1-1 draw at home against Rijeka shows their fighting spirit, but their inability to secure wins on the road remains a weakness. Kovačević’s challenge will be to tighten defensive vulnerabilities while replicating the attacking prowess seen in their best displays.

Examining the HNK Rijeka vs NK Slaven Belupo head to head over their last five encounters reveals a pattern of closely contested matches with Rijeka holding a slight edge. Rijeka have won twice convincingly with 2-0 scorelines, including the most recent league clash on 25 May 2025. The teams also shared a 1-1 draw in the Cup and a 0-0 stalemate earlier in the season, while Slaven Belupo managed a narrow 2-1 win in March. This balanced rivalry suggests that while Rijeka often come out on top, Slaven Belupo can be dangerous, particularly on home turf.

Given the tactical strengths of Rijeka under Đalović, their solid recent form, and their ability to control matches at home, the prediction leans towards a home win or at least a draw in this Cup match. While Slaven Belupo possess offensive potential, their struggles away from home and defensive lapses could be decisive factors. Fans and bettors asking “Who will win HNK Rijeka vs NK Slaven Belupo?” should consider Rijeka’s consistency and home advantage as key elements in the prediction. For those seeking HNK Rijeka vs NK Slaven Belupo betting tips, backing the home side or a draw appears the safer choice based on recent performances and head-to-head trends.

A notable hot stat from recent encounters is that HNK Rijeka have kept clean sheets in three of their last five matches against Slaven Belupo, including two at home, underscoring their defensive solidity in this fixture. This statistic further supports the view that Rijeka have a tactical edge when hosting Slaven Belupo and are likely to maintain control in this Cup tie.