- Rijeka have won four of their last five meetings with Lokomotiva Zagreb in all competitions (D1, L0).
- Rijeka have won one and lost two of their three home games in HNL 2025/2026.
- Lokomotiva Zagreb have won one and drawn one of their two away games in HNL 2025/2026.
Lokomotiva looking to lock horns with HNK Rijeka
HNK Rijeka have a superior record against Lokomotiva and will be looking to extend it on Saturday in the head-to-head matchup of two in-form HNL teams. After five games of HNL 2025/2026, Rijeka are seventh on five points and Lokomotiva are third on eight, but both sides are coming off mixed runs of form.
Rijeka have won just one, drawn one and lost three of their last five matches in all competitions, while Lokomotiva have won just once themselves in their past five (D2, L2). This HNK Rijeka vs NK Lokomotiva Zagreb prediction is influenced by Rijeka’s most recent games, which were a 5-0 mauling away to PAOK in Europa League qualifying, followed by a pulsating 2-2 away draw at local rivals Hajduk Split.
Lokomotiva meanwhile, have beaten Slaven Belupo 2-1 away and played Osijek to a 1-1 draw at home since the start of the HNL season. A head-to-head record like Rijeka’s and superior form suggests the bookies are right to make the hosts 1.50 favorites here, with Lokomotiva the underdogs at 5.50.
Rijeka are a more experienced and cohesive unit
Radomir Djalovic took over as Rijeka boss in October 2024 and brought with him an experienced, pragmatic and flexible tactical approach. The team is set up with a backbone of four at the bottom, either in 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1 shapes, depending on the opponent, and they are built around a methodical build-up and a team-wide aggression in transition.
Ante Matej Juric leads the scoring for Rijeka with one goal in four HNL appearances, but Luka Menalo has been their most clinical finisher so far with two goals in five games. In the HNK Rijeka vs NK Lokomotiva Zagreb preview, Nikica Jelavic’s impact on Lokomotiva since he took over as manager in July 2025 is highlighted, having instilled a youthful exuberance and modern, attacking philosophy into the squad.
They play a high-tempo 4-3-3 system, where the ball is pressed high up the pitch and the wide players stretch the field. The home side will try to impose their shape and control the tempo, while Lokomotiva will attempt to press and stretch the game, which could make for an intriguing battle for midfield control and transition supremacy. As part of our HNK Rijeka vs NK Lokomotiva Zagreb prediction, these tactical approaches are key factors to consider.
Lokomotiva like to have a go
Rijeka have won the last four head-to-head meetings, failing to beat Lokomotiva only once in the process, and they’ll be the best bet to win here given their experience and tactical discipline. But Lokomotiva have impressed on the road in this HNL campaign and they will have a real go here against a Rijeka side that haven’t been the easiest to watch.
Rijeka have averaged just 1.00 goals per game at home in HNL 2025/2026, but their defensive record has been far from sturdy, recording one win and two losses in three home matches. Aleks Stojakovic leads the line for Lokomotiva with just one goal in five HNL matches, but he remains their most consistent attacking option and could contribute to an open game on Saturday.
For those interested in HNK Rijeka vs NK Lokomotiva Zagreb betting tips, note that Lokomotiva have conceded three goals in their two HNL away trips so far, so with Rijeka’s home struggles this season, we feel both teams to score represents a great value wager in the direct market.
