Istra 1961 vs Rijeka prediction, odds and how to watch

Rijeka beat Hajduk Split 3-0 in the Croatian 1. HNL despite being outplayed for long stretches. Connor Maguire breaks down how desire and clinical finishing overturned a story the numbers were telling differently.

Emil Frederiksen scored all three goals for Istra 1961 as they beat Rudeš 3-2 in the Croatian 1. HNL, but a nervy finale showed exactly why this side cannot afford to switch off. Rudeš made them pay in the closing minutes and nearly nicked a point they had no business taking.

Lokomotiva Zagreb snatched a late equaliser through Marko Vesovic to draw 1-1 with Rijeka, but the home side's performance did little to mask a deeply worrying run of form in the Croatian 1. HNL.

Dinamo Zagreb dominated from start to finish but could not hold on for victory, as Istra 1961 twice levelled in a 2-2 draw that will frustrate the Croatian giants. Smail Prevljak's 84th-minute equaliser completed the comeback and denied Dinamo what their performance clearly deserved.

Lokomotiva Zagreb host Istra 1961 on Saturday in desperate need of a result, but their recent form is an embarrassment and Istra are arriving with genuine momentum. Something has to give.

Rudeš have conceded 14 goals in their last five Croatian 1. HNL matches and kept zero clean sheets. Rijeka have already beaten them once this season. This should be straightforward.

Slaven Bilic returns as Croatia manager 14 years after his first spell, facing England in a behind-closed-doors Nations League match in Rijeka. His charm helped build the foundations for Zlatko Dalic's golden generation, but succeeding the most successful coach in Croatian history will take more than nostalgia.