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Match Prediction

Istra 1961 vs Slaven Belupo Prediction

Finished
Croatia flag Croatia
HNL

Istra 1961

€12.60m

29 Nov17:15
1 : 1

Slaven Belupo

€9.02m

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Istra 1961 vs Slaven Belupo Prediction HNL

Istra 1961 vs Slaven Belupo Prediction: Form, Tactics, and Best Bets

Welcome to NerdyTips, where we break down the numbers and stories behind every match! In this Istra 1961 vs Slaven Belupo prediction, we’ll dig into recent form, tactics, key stats, and betting tips to help you make sense of this HNL fixture on November 29, 2025. Whether you’re here for the numbers or just want to know who’s likely to come out on top, you’re in the right place.

Match Context: League Standings and Recent Form

The upcoming match at Stadion Aldo Drosina in Pula promises to be more than just another date on the HNL calendar. Slaven Belupo comes in holding third place, while Istra 1961 sits fifth—both teams eager to cement their positions as the winter break approaches. The head to head history between these two is as tight as a drum: 19 wins for Istra, 22 for Slaven Belupo, and a whopping 27 draws from 68 meetings. Their last encounter ended 2-1 for Slaven Belupo, showing they know how to get a result on the road.

  • Istra 1961 Recent Form:
    • Three wins in their last five league games
    • Notable 2-1 victory over Dinamo Zagreb (Nov 9, 2025)
    • 1-0 loss to HNK Gorica in their most recent outing
    • Mixed results in the Croatian Cup, exiting after a 2-1 defeat to NK Kurilovec
  • Slaven Belupo Recent Form:
    • Unbeaten in their last six league matches
    • Three draws in their last five, including a 0-0 away to Hajduk Split
    • Solid 3-1 win over Varazdin and a 3-0 Croatian Cup victory
    • Scored 11 goals in their last six matches, but defense can be leaky

Tactics, Squad News, and What to Watch

Istra 1961 have been under new management since September, with Oriol Riera taking the reins and bringing a clear structure to the team. Their recent results suggest a side that’s not afraid to take risks at home, especially after that morale-boosting win over Dinamo Zagreb. Youngster Raul Kumar made his senior debut last week, and with national team call-ups for Ville Koski and Logi Robertsson, there’s a sense of momentum in the squad. Injuries? None reported for key players—good news for Istra fans.

Slaven Belupo, managed by Mario Gregurina, are sticking to their tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1 formation. They’ve been consistent and tough to beat, especially away from home, and have not lost to Istra in their last two away league fixtures. Josip Mitrović remains sidelined, but otherwise, the squad looks settled. The team’s offensive output has been impressive, but their defense sometimes leaves the back door open—a potential concern in a tight contest.

  • Key tactical notes:
    • Slaven Belupo’s 4-2-3-1 offers balance but can be exposed by quick transitions
    • Istra 1961’s home advantage and recent attacking form could see them push for early control
    • Both teams have shown a tendency to keep things tight, with under 3.5 goals in most recent meetings

Betting Tips, Odds, and AI Predictions for Istra 1961 vs Slaven Belupo

Now, let’s talk numbers—and not just the ones on the back of the shirts. The bookmakers have set the odds as follows:

  • Home win (Istra 1961): 2.3
  • Draw: 3.18
  • Away win (Slaven Belupo): 3.1

Our Istra 1961 vs Slaven Belupo prediction model suggests this will be a closely-fought affair, but with a slight edge for the visitors. Here’s what the stats and our AI are telling us:

  1. Best Tip: Under 3.5 Goals
    • Odds: 1.27
    • Confidence: 5.6/10
    • Both sides have shown defensive discipline, and recent head to head matches have been low-scoring. Expect a tactical battle rather than a goal fest.
  2. 1x2 Market: Away Win (Slaven Belupo)
    • Odds: 3.3
    • Trust Level: 2.9/10
    • Slaven Belupo’s unbeaten run and recent away record against Istra 1961 make them a value pick, even if the trust level is modest.
  3. Predicted Final Score: 1-2 to Slaven Belupo
    • Half-time: 0-1
    • Possession: Istra 55%, Slaven Belupo 45%
    • Shots: 11 each, with 3 on target per team
    • Expected corners: 5 total (3 for Istra, 2 for Slaven Belupo)
    • Yellow cards: 1 for Istra, 2 for Slaven Belupo

The stats suggest a balanced game, but Slaven Belupo’s recent knack for grinding out results could tip the scales. Istra 1961’s squad value may be higher (€12.60m vs. €9.02m), but on the pitch, Belupo’s form and tactical discipline have been the difference in recent weeks.

Final Thoughts: What’s the Smart Play?

If you’re looking for betting tips, the under 3.5 goals market looks like the safest play, given both teams’ defensive records and the historical trend. For those feeling brave, the away win at 3.3 offers solid value, especially with Belupo’s unbeaten streak and psychological edge from their last head to head win.

In summary, our Istra 1961 vs Slaven Belupo prediction leans towards a narrow away victory in a game where chances will be at a premium. Expect a tactical chess match, a few yellow cards, and maybe a late twist or two—after all, this is the HNL, where anything can happen and often does. Good luck with your bets, and may your corners be plentiful!

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AI Predictions
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Best Tip

The best betting football prediction for Istra 1961 vs Slaven Belupo

U3.5 -370

No more than 3 goals will be scored in the match with odds of -370
5/10

1x2 Tip

2 230

Slaven Belupo is expected to win with odds of 210
2/10

Total Goals

Under 3.5 -370

No more than 3 goals will be scored in the match
5/10

Both Teams To Score

Yes -122

Both teams are expected to score
1/10

Bet Builder Tip

X2&U4.5 -115

Away win/draw and under 4.5 goals
2/10
Both Teams To Score

Half-Time Score

0:1

Correct Score

1:2

Stats Predictions

55%
Ball Possession
45%
11
Total Shots
11
3
Shots on Goal
3
5
Shots Off Goal
4
3
Corners
2
1
Yellow Cards
2

Average / Match

2.2
Total Goals
2.9
1.1
Goals Scored
1.7
1.1
Goals Against
1.2
50%
Possession
46%
9.9
Total Shots
10
3.1
Shots on Goal
3.9
5
Shots off Goal
3.8
10.5
Fouls
14.5
3.1
Corners
2.4
1.5
Offsides
1.7
2.43
Yellow Cards
2.44
398
Total Passes
341

Overview Last 10 Matches

5
Wins
4
7
Over 1.5 Goals
9
6
Over 2.5 Goals
6
0
Over 3.5 Goals
3
6
Both Teams Scored
8
1
Unexpected Wins
0
1
Unexpected Loses
0

Head to Head

Istra 1961
9 - 16 - 12
Slaven Belupo
Slaven Belupo Slaven Belupo 12-Sep-25
2:1
Istra 1961 Istra 1961
Istra 1961 Istra 1961 28-Apr-25
1:1
Slaven Belupo Slaven Belupo
Slaven Belupo Slaven Belupo 23-Feb-25
0:0
Istra 1961 Istra 1961
Istra 1961 Istra 1961 22-Nov-24
2:3
Slaven Belupo Slaven Belupo
Slaven Belupo Slaven Belupo 31-Aug-24
0:1
Istra 1961 Istra 1961
Istra 1961 Istra 1961 26-Apr-24
3:0
Slaven Belupo Slaven Belupo
Slaven Belupo Slaven Belupo 16-Feb-24
1:1
Istra 1961 Istra 1961
Istra 1961 Istra 1961 05-Nov-23
2:0
Slaven Belupo Slaven Belupo

Profile time Recent Matches of Istra 1961

19 Dec NK Varazdin NK Varazdin.
-
Istra 1961. Istra 1961
07 DecW Osijek Osijek.
1:5
Istra 1961. Istra 1961
29 NovD Istra 1961 Istra 1961.
1:1
Slaven Belup. Slaven Belupo
23 NovL Gorica Gorica.
1:0
Istra 1961. Istra 1961
09 NovW Istra 1961 Istra 1961.
2:1
Dinamo Z. Dinamo Z
05 NovL Kurilovec Kurilovec.
2:1
Istra 1961. Istra 1961
01 NovD Istra 1961 Istra 1961.
1:1
Vukovar 1991. Vukovar 1991
25 OctW Lokomotiv Lokomotiv.
1:2
Istra 1961. Istra 1961
19 OctL Istra 1961 Istra 1961.
0:3
Hajduk Split. Hajduk Split
03 OctW Istra 1961 Istra 1961.
1:0
NK Varazdin. NK Varazdin

Profile time Recent Matches of Slaven Belupo

20 DecOsijek Osijek.
-
Slaven Belup.Slaven Belupo
14 DecLSlaven Belupo Slaven Belup.
2:5
Din. Zagreb.Din. Zagreb
05 DecWSlaven Belupo Slaven Belup.
2:1
Gorica.Gorica
29 NovDIstra 1961 Istra 1961.
1:1
Slaven Belup.Slaven Belupo
21 NovWSlaven Belupo Slaven Belup.
4:1
Vukovar 1991.Vukovar 1991
08 NovDLok. Zagreb Lok. Zagreb.
1:1
Slaven Belup.Slaven Belupo
02 NovDSlaven Belupo Slaven Belup.
0:0
Hajduk Split.Hajduk Split
29 OctWBijelo Brdo Bijelo Brdo.
0:3
Slaven Belup.Slaven Belupo
25 OctWNK Varazdin NK Varazdin.
1:3
Slaven Belup.Slaven Belupo
18 OctDSlaven Belupo Slaven Belup.
1:1
Rijeka.Rijeka

Croatia - HNL Croatia - HNL

Team Matches Goals Points
1 Dinamo Zagreb Dinamo Zagreb17
36-16
35
2 HNK Hajduk Split HNK Hajduk Spl17
27-16
34
3 NK Slaven Belupo NK Slaven Belu17
26-28
25
4 Istra 1961 Istra 196116
20-20
23
5 NK Varazdin NK Varazdin17
21-22
23
6 HNK Rijeka HNK Rijeka16
26-19
21
7 HNK Gorica HNK Gorica17
21-26
19
8 NK Lokomotiva Zagreb NK Lokomotiva 17
20-28
19
9 Vukovar Vukovar17
18-30
15
10 NK Osijek NK Osijek17
16-26
13
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