National cups are something special for many teams and supporters. Today's match will decide whether it's Varaždin or Rijeka that keep their silverware dream alive.
It’s busy days for these teams as both were in action only a few days ago. There’s no rest for the wicked, or in this case; no rest for Varaždin and Rijeka.
Varaždin form and stats
Last season, Varaždin's Croatia Cup journey ended in the 2nd round.Varaždin's struggle is real here at Stadion Anđelko Herjavec with only 5 points collected from 8 1. HNL games. The win-draw-lost numbers are ugly: 1-2-5.
A nice win for Varaždin last time playing, versus Hajduk Split. That was also a home game and the match ended 4-2 with Matej Senić, Ivan Posavec, Jurica Grgec and Jorge Obregon scoring for the victors. Prior to that, an away loss at Osijek in the 1. HNL.
As you can tell by the result above, the goals flowed freely in the previous game and the stadium rocked. Could there be another goal fest today?
Varaždin are traveling soon after this match as the 1. HNL match at Dinamo Zagreb awaits in three days.
Varaždin are certainly not overdoing their scoring at home in league matches, having created 10 goals in 8 games. Varaždin are struggling defensively, conceding on average more than two goals per home game (17 from 8 played). There's been improvement defensively lately, as only -1 of these goals has been conceded in their last 3 home matches.
Rijeka form and stats
Nothing but glory last season for Rijeka, as they won the Croatia Cup.1 win, 0 draws and 3 losses. That’s the product of Rijeka playing as the away team in the 1. HNL this season.
Rijeka's last game ended in a draw, the home match versus Dinamo Zagreb that finished 2-2. Prior to that match, a home win 2-1 against AZ in the Europa League.
The schedule is very tough for Rijeka now as they have to travel again shortly after this match. A 1. HNL game at Slaven Koprivnica is waiting in only four days.
Rijeka are seemingly not capable of scoring regularly on their travels in the league. They have only managed 2 goals from 4 away games. Rijeka's defence is not exactly unbeatable as they have conceded 7 goals from these trips. There's been improvement defensively lately, as only -1 of these goals has been conceded in their last 3 away matches.
Head 2 Head
Varaždin-Rijeka H2H statistics last ten meetings regardless of arena: Varaždin one win, Rijeka eight wins, one draw. seven of these ten matches had three or more goals (over 2,5).Top Goalscorers
  F. Andrijašević 4 goals |   J. Obregón Rojas 3 goals | M. Senić 2 goals |
Varaždin missing players
Rijeka missing players
| Varaždin | Rijeka | ||||||
| Total | Home | Statistics | Stat | Away | Total | ||
| 25 | 14 | Played | P | 11 | 25 | ||
| 11 | 7 | Won | W | 5 | 15 | ||
| 3 | 2 | Drew | D | 1 | 3 | ||
| 11 | 5 | Lost | L | 5 | 7 | ||
| 30 | 19 | Scored | S | 16 | 40 | ||
| 29 | 17 | Conceded | C | 17 | 29 | ||
| 100% | 100% | Over 0.5 | O 0.5 | 100% | 100% | ||
| 60% | 64% | Over 1.5 | O 1.5 | 73% | 76% | ||
| 36% | 43% | Over 2.5 | O 2.5 | 55% | 52% | ||
| 20% | 21% | Over 3.5 | O 3.5 | 36% | 24% | ||
| 12% | 14% | Over 4.5 | O 4.5 | 27% | 16% | ||
| 36% | 50% | BTTS | BTTS | 36% | 48% | ||
| 40% | 43% | Clean Sheets | C S | 27% | 32% | ||
| 24% | 7% | Failed to Score | F T | 36% | 20% | ||
| 0 | 0 | Corners for (avg) | C F | 0 | 0 | ||
| 0 | 0 | Corners against (avg) | C A | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1.8 | 1.9 | Yellow cards (avg) | Y C | 2.7 | 2.7 | ||
| 2 | 1 | Red cards | R C | 2 | 3 | ||
| 8.8 | 9.5 | Shots (avg) | S ( | 11.1 | 10.4 | ||
| 3.6 | 3.7 | Shots on Target (avg) | S O | 4.3 | 4.4 | ||
| 34% | 37% | Goal Efficiency | G E | 34% | 36% | ||
| Total | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||||
| # | Team | MP | W | D | L | F | A | MP | W | D | L | F | A | MP | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | P |
| 1 | Dinamo Zagreb | 13 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 36 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 8 | 22 | 30 |
| 2 | Osijek | 15 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 23 | 15 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 30 |
| 3 | Gorica | 13 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 28 | 17 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 9 | 11 | 26 |
| 4 | Rijeka | 11 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 20 |
| 5 | Hajduk Split | 13 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 18 | 17 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 17 |
| 6 | Slaven Koprivnica | 15 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 19 | 21 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 10 | -2 | 17 |
| 7 | Šibenik | 13 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 13 | 20 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 7 | -7 | 13 |
| 8 | Lokomotiva Zagreb | 14 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 22 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 14 | -9 | 12 |
| 9 | Varaždin | 15 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 15 | 25 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 17 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | -10 | 12 |
| 10 | Istra 1961 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 23 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 17 | -15 | 9 |