- Hajduk Split are clear favorites for the win, but they've failed to win their last 2 home games against Istra in the HNL.
- Hajduk have won 2 of the last 3 head-to-head meetings between the teams (D0, L1).
Hajduk should have the quality to win
Hajduk Split will have been disappointed to get only 0 points from their opening game of the HNL 2026-2027 season and it leaves them 7th in the standings at this early stage, while NK Istra 1961 Pula are on 0 points after 1 game and 6th. HNK Hajduk Split vs NK Istra 1961 Pula preview suggests the hosts should get the better of Istra, but the visitors have been tough to crack away from home recently and may have enough to avoid defeat this Sunday.
Hajduk's form coming into this game is a mixed bag with 2 wins and 3 defeats in their last 5 games across all competitions. They beat Istra 3-1 away in the HNL in 2025-2026, just 3 months ago, and they've lost both of their last two home meetings at Poljud Stadium, so the derby edge still has some bite for the visitors. HNK Hajduk Split vs NK Istra 1961 Pula prediction remains a tricky one because of that recent head-to-head record.
Their recent results have been the 2-0 home win over Pafos FC that sent Hajduk through to the next round of UEFA Europa League qualifying and the 4-0 extra-time defeat away to Pafos in the next fixture. Last week saw the team lose 2-1 to Varaždin away in the HNL 2026-2027, so they haven't been at their best recently. HNK Hajduk Split vs NK Istra 1961 Pula prediction also points to a match where Hajduk need a sharper display to justify their status.
Istra will try to frustrate
Istra's form is also poor with 0 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats in their last 5 across all current competitions. HNK Hajduk Split vs NK Istra 1961 Pula betting tips lean toward the hosts, but Istra will look to frustrate the hosts on Sunday and should have the ability to at least earn a draw. They are unbeaten in 2 of their last 3 away games (W0, D2, L1) and will set up compact and deep against the hosts.
Gonzalo García's preferred 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 this season has seen Hajduk push forward at pace with plenty of high pressing to recover the ball in the top third. The plan is to get it into the No.10 and attack quickly, so this really will be a battle between press and block, where Hajduk should have the ball most of the time, but Istra can hit them on the counter when they overcommit.
Istra can make it a close game
Rokas Pukstas is Hajduk's HNL 2026-2027 leading scorer with 1 goal from 1 game, while Adrion Pajaziti has made a decent start to the season with 1 assist. Emil Frederiksen is the danger man for Istra with 2 goals from 1 game in the HNL 2026-2027, and also 2 goals in their last 5, so 2 of the 3 total Istra goals scored in that period. HNK Hajduk Split vs NK Istra 1961 Pula prediction is that Hajduk are favored to take all 3 points, but 1.34 seems a bit low considering they've failed to win their last two home games against Istra and won one and lost one against Pafos. Istra are listed at 7.9 for the win and the draw at 5.0, which are also short in our opinion, but it is still possible for the away team to make this a tough battle. HNK Hajduk Split vs NK Istra 1961 Pula prediction still leans toward the home side in the match result markets, but the odds for over 2.5 goals at 1.6 are still solid value and both teams to score at 1.85 looks good as well.
