Delightful dogfight as daring Osijek duels with determined Istra 1961

Istra 1961 could be less fresh than the hosts in this fixture, as they played a Croatia Cup game only three sleeps ago. That game was also an away game, at Dinamo Zagreb. It will be interesting to see if they are fully ready and rested for this match, and/or if some changes in the lineup is necessary.

Istra are fighting to avoid relegation and will work hard for points.

Osijek form and stats

Osijek, who have the fewest conceded goals (24) in 1. HNL, are steadily winning 1. HNL games and points here at Stadion Gradski vrt. 12 wins, 4 draws and 1 defeat is the summary from 17 games. In general it's been a long time since Osijek tasted defeat here at Stadion Gradski vrt, as they have taken at least one point from their last 15 home games in the league.

Nothing to worry about in defence for Osijek, as their goalkeeper Ivica Ivusic has completely shut out the opponents for 221 minutes in the 1. HNL.

It's back home for Osijek, who return with a good feeling about themselves after beating Lokomotiva Zagreb away with the result 2-0. Damjan Bohar and László Kleinheisler found the net in that victory. Midfielder László Kleinheisler was the best player on the team with a rating of 8.41 (out of ten) in that game. Kleinheisler scored one goal, hit two key passes and dribled passed the opponent 1 of 2 times.

Previous to that game, a home match hosting Šibenik in a game that was won 3-0.

The hosts are modest favourites in this match, with the bookmakers estimating the chance of a home win at about 50% +- five percent. It's interesting to look at how Osijek have performed under similar circumstances, so here are some numbers: When modest favourites like this (we found six games) they have won five times, drawn zero and lost one.

The Osijek fans have had their share of opportunities to cheer home goals this season, having seen 28 goals in 17 league matches. Osijek have showed great defending skills in these home games, allowing the opposition to score only 7 goals.

Istra 1961 form and stats

The hunting on away grounds haven’t been very fruitful for Istra 1961, who have the fewest scored goals (26) in 1. HNL, so far with only 9 points returning home. The records show 1-6-10 (win-draw-lose).

Istra lost away at Dinamo Zagreb (3-6) in their previous game and are perhaps starting to feel homesick. As you can tell from the result, the match against Dinamo Zagreb was as crazy as a clown in a village circus. Great fun for the neutral supporter with 9 goals, will the fun continue today?

Prior to that match, a home win 1-0 against Slaven Koprivnica in the 1. HNL.

We have checked recent matches where Istra have had similar odds to win. Win-draw-lose statistics from those five games were zero victories, three draws and two defeats.

The visitors have scored 10 goals from 17 away games in the league, an average of less than one per game. It's been trouble in front of goal recently, as only 1 of these goals has been scored in their last three away matches. As for defending, Istra rarely keep clean sheets as they have conceded 27 goals from these away matches. There's been improvement defensively lately, as only 3 of these goals has been conceded in their last 3 away matches.

Head 2 Head

Osijek and Istra 1961 have met before this season: Istra 1961 - Osijek 0-2. Head-2-head stats last ten meetings: six - two - two (Osijek wins - draws - Istra 1961 wins). As for goals, one match ended with three or more goals (over 2,5), nine had two or less.

Top Goalscorers

R. Mierez 22 goals

D. Bohar 7 goals

M. Vuk 6 goals

Osijek missing players

Istra 1961 missing players