- Varaždin form: NK Varaždin have won 4 and lost 1 of their last 5 competitive games (W4, L1).
- Rijeka form: HNK Rijeka have won 5 and drawn 0 of their last 5 games across all competitions (W5, D0).
- Head-to-head: Varaždin won the last head-to-head match 1-0 at home in the HNL 2025/2026.
Home hoodoo may hold HNK Rijeka back
NK Varaždin currently sit 2nd in the HNL 2026/2027 table after taking 6 points from their first two games and HNK Rijeka are 5th after taking 3 from 1, so the early table suggests a home victory. However, Rijeka have won 5 and tied 0 of their last 5 across all competitions, while Varaždin have won 4 and lost 1, so there's plenty to indicate that the away side will be tough to beat.
Rijeka have failed to win either of their last 2 away games to Varaždin, which is keeping this game firmly in the hosts' pocket.
Clash of styles is set for Sunday
Varaždin are a tough, compact and disciplined side in a narrow 4-2-3-1 that is more than happy to sit deep and strike on the break. Rijeka, meanwhile, play on the front foot and press high up the field in a 4-3-3 formation that overloads the flanks and tries to force turnovers with aggression.
These two styles should make for an interesting match as Rijeka look to ramp up the tempo and take possession, while Varaždin will try to hit them on the counter.
Rijeka have the edge, but Varaždin will make it close
Odds and prediction
The odds are pretty tight in this fixture, with Rijeka available at 2.14 to take all 3 points, but we're going for the hosts at 3.3 and the tie at the same odds as they look much more likely.
Match outlook
Rijeka's better form makes them a slight favorite, but Varaždin's home hoodoo has to be respected and the game should be tight.
The team have an additional bite about them this season and we expect them to make this hard for Rijeka.
Players to watch
- Luka Mamić has been red-hot for Varaždin of late, netting 5 times in their last 5 matches, part of an 11-goal burst.
- Ivan Canjuga is Varaždin's main finisher with 2 goals in 2 HNL 2026/2027 games so far, while Gregor Sikosek is the supply line with 2 assists in 2 HNL 2026/2027 games.
- Daniel Adu-Adjei has scored 1 goal in 1 HNL 2026/2027 game to lead Rijeka's scoring, with Tiago Dantas adding 1 assist in 1 game.
Betting tip
Under 2.5 goals at 1.83 is also a play, as the setups of these teams should bring about a tight game, not a shootout.
