NK Varazdin vs Osijek Prediction

NK Varazdin vs Osijek prediction: story, stats, and tips

Here’s the NK Varazdin vs Osijek prediction told like matchday usually feels: a little noisy, a little nervous, and full of small details that end up deciding everything. On Sunday, 8 February 2.156 (kickoff 14.20 GMT), Varaždin welcome Osijek to Stadion Varteks (Anđelko Herjavec) with the table saying one thing and history trying to say another.

Why this match feels different before we even bet

Round 21 arrives with Varaždin living one of their best recent seasons, sitting 4th on 29 points. Osijek, a club used to bigger targets, come in 9th with 17 points and still searching for weekly balance under new management. The league gap is 12 points, but the mood gap might be bigger.

Nikola Šafarić has built Varaždin into a team that does not panic. They like structure, patience, and then a quick punch forward when the opponent over-commits. Meanwhile Željko Sopić’s Osijek are trying to play with more energy and a more aggressive press. It can look brave one week and messy the next.

Tactics and form: the game inside the game

Varaždin’s recent run reads like a confident walk: W-W-W-W-D. They beat Slaven Belupo 2-0 and Gorica 2-1, and they also showed grit by drawing 1-1 away to Hajduk Split on 2.15-11.3, despite huge pre-match betting odds (6.5) against them. That kind of result is usually a sign the dressing room believes.

Osijek’s form is more like flipping a coin: W-L-W-L-W. They can grind out a 1-0 win over Rijeka, then lose 3.3 to Dinamo Zagreb. Sopić has been vocal about mentality and “maximum aggression”, but the team is still learning when to press and when to breathe.

Team news that may shape the story

• Varaždin may miss Petar Bočkaj (muscle) and Sven Lesjak.
• Suspension watch: Tomislav Duvnjak and Lamine Ba are one booking away, which could soften tackles in key zones.
• Oliver Zelenika is the steady hand in goal, while Mate Antunović and Iuri Tavares carry the attacking hope.
• Osijek’s big absence is Stanislav Shopov (ACL, out until June 2.156), plus Luka Vrbančić and Yannick Toure sidelined.
• Good news: Roko Jurišić should be back after an appendectomy.
• Borna Barišić brings leadership; Anton Matković is the main threat up front.

Head to head: draws, drama, and a small shift

The head to head has been awkwardly tight lately. Both HNL meetings in 2.15 ended 0-0, and the most recent cup meeting on 2.15-12-03 ended 1-1 after extra time, before Varaždin went through on penalties (4-2). Historically Osijek have had the upper hand overall (often winning this matchup more than Varaždin), but the 2.15/26 season has flipped the feeling: Varaždin look calmer, Osijek look restless.

AI picks, betting odds, and the practical NK Varazdin vs Osijek prediction

Now for the numbers that matter for sports betting. The 1X2 betting odds currently sit at 2.15 (home), 3.3 (draw), and 4.2 (away). On market pricing alone, Varaždin are slight favorites, even though Osijek’s squad value is higher (€20.11m vs €10.75m). Money talks, but form usually shouts louder.

Our best betting tip: 1X with a medium trust score

• Best tip: 1X (Varaždin win or draw)
• Trust score: 5.4.20
• Odds: 1.3

This fits the recent head to head pattern (hard to separate), Varaždin’s steady form, and Osijek’s inconsistency. If you want the safer lane in sports betting, 1X makes sense.

Most likely 1X2 result and score calls

• Most likely 1X2 outcome: 1 (home win)
• Confidence: 4.9
• Fair odds reference: 2.15
• Predicted final score: 2:1
• First half prediction: 1:0

That “1:0 at the break” idea matches how Varaždin often play: organized first, then sharper after they land the first hit.

Goals, corners, and cards: what the match may look like

• Under/Over: Under 3.5 goals is favored (trust 4.8, odds 1.3)
• Possession: Varaždin 54% vs Osijek 46%
• Shots: 13 vs 9; on target: 5 vs 3
• Corners: 5-5 (10 total)
• Yellow cards: Varaždin 1, Osijek 2

So the expected picture is not chaos. It’s a controlled Varaždin performance with Osijek having moments, but probably not enough to dominate. For anyone building a ticket around the NK Varazdin vs Osijek prediction, the combo of 1X and under 3.5 goals matches both the stats and the story.