Match Prediction
Match Prediction
Croatia
Istra 1961
€10.65m
Slaven
€8.55m
Preview
Welcome to your ultimate Istra 1961 vs NK Slaven Belupo prediction for the HNL’s mid-table battle with playoff dreams on the line. Monday’s 16:00 GMT kickoff at Stadion Aldo Drosina isn’t just another tick on the calendar—it’s a high-stakes chess match between two sides who’ve made a habit of defying the odds. With Istra sitting 6th on 41 points and Slaven Belupo just ahead in 4th with 44, this is a duel where every tackle, every pass, and every shot could tilt the playoff picture. Let’s dive into the stats, the stories, and the smart bets for this intriguing encounter.
Both teams arrive with recent results that have sent shockwaves through Croatian football. Istra’s gritty 1-0 away win over Hajduk Split—at a whopping 5.5 odds—was the kind of upset that makes neutrals cheer and bookmakers sweat. Not to be outdone, Slaven Belupo have their own badge of honor: a dogged 0-0 draw against the same Hajduk side earlier this year, at even longer odds (7.0). These aren’t teams that roll over; they bite, scratch, and scrap for every point.
Bookmakers are giving Istra the slight edge, but recent head to head history adds a twist: Slaven Belupo took the spoils in November’s 3-2 thriller. That five-goal spectacle was the exception, not the rule—most meetings between these two are tighter than a drum.
Let’s break down the numbers fueling this Istra 1961 vs NK Slaven Belupo prediction:
The AI at NerdyTips crunched the data and came up with a forecast that feels just right for this matchup:
If you’re a fan of patterns, you’ll love this: HNL home teams win 43.6% of the time, and only 48.2% of matches go over 2.5 goals. That last 3-2 head to head was a rare outburst—most meetings are more like a goalkeeper’s union meeting: all business, few goals, and everyone leaves with clean gloves.
Why does the under 2.5 goals bet (1.65 odds) look so appealing? Simple: Istra’s recent shock win at Hajduk was a masterclass in defensive discipline and clinical finishing. Slaven Belupo’s goalless draw against the same opponent shows they’re just as comfortable digging in and frustrating bigger teams. Expect a match with:
If this were a movie, expect a thriller with fewer goals than a goalkeepers’ union meeting—bring popcorn, but don’t expect to spill it in excitement.
Here’s how to play it smart for your Istra 1961 vs NK Slaven Belupo prediction:
In summary, this isn’t just a mid-table meeting—it’s a playoff six-pointer with everything to play for. Trust the stats, trust the trends, and trust your gut. For more sharp analysis and a dash of wit, keep it locked on NerdyTips—where football meets wisdom, and every prediction is a story worth telling.
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U2.5 -154
No more than 2 goals will be scored in the match with odds of -1541 130
Istra 1961 is expected to win with odds of 130Under 2.5 -154
No more than 2 goals will be scored in the matchNo -118
At least one team is not expected to score1X&U4.5 -185
Home win/draw and under 4.5 goals
1:0
|
|
9
-
16
-
12
|
|
 Slaven |
12-Sep-25
2:1
| Istra 1961  |
| Istra 1961 |
28-Apr-25
1:1
| Slaven |
| Slaven |
23-Feb-25
0:0
| Istra 1961 |
| Istra 1961 |
22-Nov-24
2:3
| Slaven |
| Slaven |
31-Aug-24
0:1
| Istra 1961 |
| Istra 1961 |
26-Apr-24
3:0
| Slaven |
| Slaven |
16-Feb-24
1:1
| Istra 1961 |
| Istra 1961 |
05-Nov-23
2:0
| Slaven |
Recent Matches of Istra 1961| 14 Dec | D |
Istra 1961.
|
1:1
| Rijeka.
|
Recent Matches of Slaven
| 14 Dec | L | Slaven Belup. |
2:5 |
Din. Zagreb. |
Croatia - HNL| Team | Matches | Goals | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
HNK Rijeka | 36 | 49-21 | 65 |
| 2 |
Dinamo Zagreb | 36 | 69-41 | 65 |
| 3 |
HNK Hajduk Spl | 36 | 49-34 | 63 |
| 4 |
NK Varazdin | 36 | 28-24 | 49 |
| 5 |
NK Slaven Belu | 36 | 42-45 | 48 |
| 6 |
Istra 1961 | 36 | 39-42 | 48 |
| 7 |
NK Osijek | 36 | 46-52 | 42 |
| 8 |
NK Lokomotiva | 36 | 45-54 | 39 |
| 9 |
HNK Gorica | 36 | 29-51 | 37 |
| 10 |
Sibenik | 36 | 28-60 | 30 |
