The upcoming clash between NK Slaven Belupo and HNK Rijeka at Gradski stadion Ivan Kusek Apas promises to be a riveting contest. Rijeka, buoyed by their recent victories and higher league standing, will likely adopt an aggressive pressing strategy, aiming to dominate possession and create scoring opportunities early. Their favored 4-2-3-1 formation supports a fluid attacking style combined with disciplined midfield positioning. NK Slaven Belupo, conversely, may opt for a more conservative approach, focusing on resilience and counter-attacks exploiting Rijeka’s high pressing. Their tactical setup, predicated on a compact 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2, aims to absorb pressure and strike on the break. Expect Rijeka's pressing intensity to overshadow Slaven Belupo’s more possession-oriented style, potentially leading to turnovers in dangerous zones. The outcome hinges on whether Slaven Belupo can exploit the gaps created by Rijeka’s forward-minded approach, but current form and historical dominance tip the scales in favor of Rijeka, especially given their away-record consistency.
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These are our top betting tips and predictions for the match.
Rijeka's consistent form and past victories suggest they might have the edge in this fixture. A modest handicap favoring Rijeka could be a strategic choice.
Given the tactical setups, HNK Rijeka is likely to start aggressively, possibly scoring early. The first-half might see Rijeka leading, and the full-time result could mirror their recent matches with a narrow win.
Both teams have shown goal-scoring capabilities, but Rijeka's solid defensive record in recent fixtures suggests that Both Teams To Score may not be the safest option. However, NK Slaven Belupo's attacking versatility keeps BTTS as an intermediate possibility.
The match is predicted to see under 2.5 goals considering both teams’ recent defensive performances and their tendency for low-scoring fixtures, especially in away games for Rijeka.
HNK Rijeka is favored to win on October 18, 2025, based on their recent form, tactical approach, and past fixtures. Rijeka’s consistent performances away make them the likely victors. NK Slaven Belupo will fight hard but face a tough challenge, with a narrow victory forecasted for Rijeka.
In their last encounters, HNK Rijeka has generally had the upper hand, notably winning 4 of their last 5 meetings. NK Slaven Belupo’s only recent success was a draw, but Rijeka’s attack and defensive strength have been decisive.
Both teams have key players fit and available, with no significant injuries reported ahead of the match.
Expected lineups feature a 4-2-3-1 formation for NK Slaven Belupo, emphasizing midfield control and wide play. HNK Rijeka are likely to deploy a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, focusing on possession and quick transitions. Rijeka's pressing is more intense, favoring a high-press approach, whereas NK Slaven Belupo may prefer counter-attacks, relying on quick countering and disciplined defense. These tactical differences could significantly influence the game’s outcome, with Rijeka’s pressing creating turnovers and Slaven Belupo looking to exploit spaces on the break.
Rijeka’s recent form has significantly improved, with multiple wins instilling confidence. Meanwhile, NK Slaven Belupo's form has been inconsistent, with some notable defeats at home. Historically, Rijeka has performed better in away fixtures, adding weight to their dominance.
See below all the main information for this match.
The most recent head-to-head was a 2-1 away win for HNK Rijeka on March 29, 2025, highlighting their current dominance. Historically, Rijeka has a slight edge, winning a majority of matches against NK Slaven Belupo, especially on their home turf.
