- Rijeka have won their last two games against Gorica in HNL 2025-2026, the last one 1-0 at home.
- Toni Fruk is Rijeka’s top scorer with nine goals in 24 HNL 2025-2026 matches.
- Jurica Prsir leads the way for Gorica with five goals in 24 HNL 2025-2026 games.
Style clash with both teams capable of scoring
HNK Rijeka are one place and eight points better off than NK Gorica in the HNL 2025-2026 standings with 38 points from 26 games in third compared to their opponents' 28 points in eighth. But the hosts are the one team that Rijeka have beaten twice already in the HNL 2025-2026 season, which suggests they will be extremely competitive for the upcoming clash. In this NK Gorica vs HNK Rijeka preview, both teams’ previous encounters indicate another tightly contested match is in store.
Rijeka have the better away record in HNL 2025-2026 with three wins, four draws and five losses in 12 matches, while Gorica have won four, drawn three and lost six of their 13 home league assignments. The visitors have the superior all-round record, with three wins and two losses in their last five in all competitions, while Gorica have won two, drawn two and lost one.
Víctor Sánchez has done an excellent job at Rijeka to make them competitive in both domestic and European competition by implementing structured possession and pressing systems that have a discipline that doesn’t allow the team to deviate. Mario Carevic, by contrast, is a pragmatic manager who has been very successful in Croatian football and is known for his tactical flexibility and ability to adapt to the opponent in front of him.
Gorica can be opportunistic and make things awkward for visitors
In this clash of styles, Sánchez’s structure will be tested by Carevic’s ability to mix things up and disrupt their flow. This NK Gorica vs HNK Rijeka prediction suggests Gorica are always looking to play on the counter, but will set up in different shapes and tempos in order to do so. They are unlikely to win this game, but should be able to keep it close enough for both teams to score, which is the bet in this spot at around 1.8 odds.
Rijeka’s record of 13 goals in 12 away games is indicative of an attack that is solid but not spectacular. Our NK Gorica vs HNK Rijeka prediction, based on home and away form, is that both teams are likely to score.
An away win is most likely and Rijeka can be backed at 2.3 to secure all three points in what should be a competitive game. For those looking for NK Gorica vs HNK Rijeka betting tips, Toni Fruk is their best player and top goalscorer with nine in 24 HNL 2025-2026 appearances and has scored four of Rijeka’s last eight goals, making him the best bet to score at any time on Sunday.
Domagoj Pavicic has chipped in with three of Gorica’s last nine goals and can be a value bet to find the net if you are taking a chance on the home side.
