- Slaven form: NK Slaven Belupo have won 1 and lost 4 of their last 5 matches (0 draws), losing 3 straight across all competitions.
- Varazdin form: Varazdin have won 4 of the last 5 games, and won 1 of the last 2 away games (1 loss).
- Head-to-head: Varazdin have won 2 of the last 3 meetings with Slaven, who have taken 1 (0 draws).
Varazdin can edge a tight game with a late goal
Slaven's recent collapse and tactical setup
NK Slaven Belupo have fallen apart in the last few weeks, losing 3 consecutive matches across all competitions and winning just 1 of their last 5.
Mario Gregurina has been their boss since 1 July 2025, and the former Gorica defender appears to have built his team around structure-first, compact blocks and quick vertical counters. Slaven usually set up in a 4-2-3-1 system, but often go to a back three in games where they need to stay organized.
Match dynamics and Varazdin's approach
This is likely to be a chess match, with compact shapes clashing and the side that wins the press-and-break battle probably edging it. Varazdin boss Nikola Safaric has been in charge since 8 December 2023, and his 4-2-3-1 system has brought continuity, a compact defending style and high-energy transition play. Varazdin have a slightly higher tempo and more pressing intensity than Slaven, and they pass quickly enough to turn recoveries into chances with pace.
Slaven are the slight favourites here at 2.46, with Varazdin at 2.69, actually Slaven are priced at 2.46 and Varazdin at 2.69, so the book makes a close contest. Varazdin have won 4 of their last 5, including a 2-1 home victory over Hajduk Split in HNL 2026/2027, a fast response to a 2-0 away loss to Jablonec in UEFA Conference League qualifying.
Slaven have lost a couple of recent home games
Slaven have won 1 and lost 1 of their last 2 at home, so Fortress Gradski stadium has not been an impregnable fortress. Varazdin can play their game on the road, as 1 win and 1 loss in their last 2 indicates. Varazdin also beat Slaven 2-1 at home in the last HNL 2025/2026 meeting, while they've won 2 of the last 3 visits, a nasty trend for the hosts to snap.
Slaven are 10th with 0 points after 1 game in HNL 2026/2027, while Varazdin are 4th with 3 from 1. Varazdin are in excellent form, so they are the most likely winner on the day. The draw sits at 3.32, but the book on this game is generally tight, with BTTS at 1.64 and Under 2.5 at 1.92 nudging it towards a close game with goals.
- Slaven's Filip Kruselj has been their cutting edge of late with 2 goals in the net in their last 5, but he may not have enough service against Varazdin's energetic pressing.
- Varazdin's Luka Mamic leads the HNL 2026/2027 chart with 1 goal in 1 game, while he also hit 4 of the team's 9 goals in their last 5.
- Aleksa Latkovic has been Varazdin's creator-in-chief so far, topping the HNL 2026/2027 assist chart with 1 in 1.
