Istra 1961 vs Gorica prediction, odds and how to watch

Gorica bossed possession, peppered the box with crosses, and still could not score. Rijeka barely showed up going forward. A 0-0 that tells you everything about both teams right now.

Slaven Koprivnica scored twice inside 21 minutes to dismantle a Gorica side that has now lost all four league matches this season, conceding nine goals in the process. The pattern of vulnerability Gorica have shown on the road this year was exposed again, and the question is no longer about results but about structure.

Rijeka won comfortably enough on the balance of play, but a late header from Istra in the 90th minute exposed a defensive structure that had no reference point for holding a lead. The margin of victory flatters neither side.

Istra 1961 host a Gorica side that has lost all four of their opening league fixtures and conceded nine goals in the process. The structural problems travelling to Pula this Saturday go well beyond a rough patch.

Gorica head into Saturday's home fixture without a single point from their opening four league games, while Varaždin arrive in third place and carrying genuine confidence. The structural gap between these two sides right now is significant.

Two teams sitting in the bottom half of the Croatian 1. HNL table meet on Saturday, with Istra 1961 desperate to build on home advantage against a Rudeš side that has conceded thirteen goals in four league matches.

Dinamo Zagreb welcome Gorica to the Croatian capital on Saturday having scored eight goals in their last two home fixtures, while their opponents arrive without a point to their name in the early standings. The gap between these two sides, in form and in confidence, could scarcely be wider.

Varaždin head into Saturday's Croatian HNL clash in red-hot form with five wins from five, but Istra 1961 have won both previous meetings between these sides. Something has to give.