- Hajduk Split have won all 3 of their home matches in HNL 2025/2026, scoring 2.33 goals per game and conceding only 0.33.
- Hajduk Split have won 4 and lost 1 of their last 5 matches in all competitions.
- Rijeka have won 2, drawn 1 and lost 2 of their last 5 fixtures in all competitions.
Home record should see hosts through
HNK Hajduk Split are 2nd in HNL 2025/2026, having recorded a perfect 12 points from 4 matches played, whilst Rijeka are 6th after picking up 4 points from the first 4 games.
Last season, our HNK Hajduk Split vs HNK Rijeka prediction saw Hajduk Split edge a 2-1 victory over their regional rivals, HNK Rijeka, in HNL 2024/2025 and the two teams have won one and drawn one of the last 3 clashes between the pair.
Gonzalo Garcia has made an immediate impact since taking over the helm at Hajduk Split in July 2025, installing a patient, possession-based style of play, with structured rotations and vertical wings. Rijeka, managed by Radomir Djalovic since October 2024, like to defend in a mid-block, sit deep and compact, before springing forward with speed on the break, or overloading the wings.
With Garcia’s team currently playing like a well-oiled machine and Djalovic’s men being a mix of pragmatic, counter-attacking and possession-based soccer, the midfield area will be where the battle will be won or lost on Sunday. The hosts have won 4 of their last 5 and Rijeka have 2 wins in their last 5, so both sides will be feeling confident ahead of kick-off. This HNK Hajduk Split vs HNK Rijeka preview also notes that Hajduk Split are the best team at home in HNL 2025/2026, averaging 2.33 goals a game scored and 0.33 goals a game conceded. Rijeka are yet to find the back of the net away from home in their only HNL 2025/2026 away trip this term, drawing 0-0. With Hajduk Split’s home form in HNL 2025/2026 and Rijeka’s lack of goals on the road, we’re going to take the odds on the home team to nick this Adriatic derby.
The HNK Hajduk Split vs HNK Rijeka prediction is enhanced by the price of 2.20 for the favourites on the day, whilst slightly generous for a home win, which is far too short given Rijeka’s poor away form and the fact that the visitors have yet to win in their last two trips to Hajduk Split. Rijeka are the underdogs in this fixture, priced at 3.20 and that makes more appeal. Rijeka have drawn their only HNL 2025/2026 match away from home this season 0-0 but Hajduk Split have been very impressive in the opening 4 HNL 2025/2026 matches, winning all four matches. Rijeka have had a mixed run of form in their opening 4 HNL 2025/2026 fixtures, losing 1-2 at home to NK Varazdin last time out, despite claiming a fine 1-0 win at home to PAOK Thessaloniki in the UEFA Europa League Qualification 2nd Qualifying Round in the week prior.
Abdoulie Sanyang is in excellent form for the Croatians, having scored 2 goals in 4 HNL 2025/2026 appearances, while the club’s top scorer across all competitions has 3 goals in the club’s last 5 games. Rijeka’s only goalscoring threat comes from Ante Matej Juric, who has 1 goal in 4 HNL 2025/2026 games, with Toni Fruk the only other player to have chipped in, with 2 goals in the club’s last 5 appearances. Creative spark Mladen Devetak has 1 assist in 4 HNL 2025/2026 league appearances and will be instrumental to Rijeka’s chances of causing an upset on Sunday, should they manage to pull off a result.
The rivalry between these two Adriatic sides is a fierce one and the derby day atmosphere may well be the difference on the night. The HNK Hajduk Split vs HNK Rijeka prediction is that both teams will want to claim the three points and bragging rights for the next 12 months. However, with Hajduk Split looking the most likely victors on paper and Rijeka’s recent away performances, we’re backing Hajduk Split to shut out their guests on Sunday. For those looking for additional insight, the HNK Hajduk Split vs HNK Rijeka betting tips suggest siding with the home team thanks to their strong home record.
