- Rijeka's last two home fixtures have been a win and a draw (W1, D1).
- Lokomotiva have won three of their last five games (W3, D1, L1) but remain winless in their two recent away games (D1, L1).
- Rijeka have won six, drawn four and lost just two of their 12 home HNL 2025/2026 games (W6, D4, L2).
Both teams to score at 1.8 - good enough to get involved
Rijeka have been in inconsistent form in all competitions, winning two, drawing one and losing two of their last five fixtures, but their home form remains strong (W1, D1). The clear 1.61 favourites are a touch short for this mid-table clash, so our HNK Rijeka vs NK Lokomotiva Zagreb prediction sees value in focusing on alternative markets, especially with a Lokomotiva Zagreb side that arrive in good form (W3, D1, L1) and are available at 5.0.
The hosts should be trusted to edge this clash as they are unbeaten in their last two games with Lokomotiva (D2), but both teams to score at 1.8 looks a better option for this match-up of two sides in differing phases of their respective seasons. This HNK Rijeka vs NK Lokomotiva Zagreb prediction is based on the recent attacking productivity of both teams despite their varying fortunes in the league.
Rijeka look for more road success
Rijeka come into this clash off the back of two recent matches, starting with a gritty 1-0 victory over Omonia in the UEFA Conference League before a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Hajduk Split in HNL action. Victor Sanchez has brought a pragmatic, yet flexible style to Rijeka since taking charge in September 2025.
His team are capable of morphing between different shapes and will be compact, control the tempo and punish opponents when they hit them on the counter-attack. This HNK Rijeka vs NK Lokomotiva Zagreb preview suggests it will be a different sort of test to the game Lokomotiva played last week, a dominant 3-0 home win over Gorica, but they will be up for the test of a physical, aggressive game against an opponent that they have enjoyed beating in recent seasons.
The visitors will look to overrun opponents with a high-tempo style and an attack that will attempt to overload the wings, play direct vertical passes and press high up the field. They will look to set the tone in this game and have been much more potent in front of goal since Nikica Jelavic took over as head coach in July 2025.
Goals at both ends look likely
Lokomotiva played away to Slaven Belupo last weekend and were deservedly beaten 2-0 while they beat Osijek 3-1 at home last time out. The visitors have been in good shape with Marko Pajac having found his goal-scoring form, hitting three of the last nine that they have scored in their past five games.
However, Lokomotiva remain in single-digit goal-scoring figures on the road in HNL 2025/2026 (W1, D5, L5) with just 11 scored in 11 away games. Rijeka have been the more clinical of the two in front of goal at home, with Toni Fruk the man to watch in the final third with eight goals in 22 HNL 2025/2026 appearances.
Aleks Stojakovic leads Lokomotiva’s scoring charts with eight in the same number of appearances, but they play a more direct style and he will need to be at his best on Sunday if they are to get anything out of this fixture.
Rijeka are a solid third in the HNL 2025/2026 with 32 points from 23 games while Lokomotiva are seventh with 29.
Lokomotiva are winless in their previous two away trips to Rijeka and their away form remains shaky, so this HNK Rijeka vs NK Lokomotiva Zagreb prediction suggests that the hosts should edge it. For those looking for value, the HNK Rijeka vs NK Lokomotiva Zagreb betting tips favor both teams to score, with the hosts having the slight advantage in recent meetings.
