- NK Istra 1961 are 3rd in the HNL 2025/2026 table with 26 points from 17 games.
- HNK Rijeka are 5th in the HNL 2025/2026 with 24 points from 17 matches.
- NK Istra 1961 have drawn their last two home games and are unbeaten in their recent home fixtures.
Istra 1961 have the tools to trouble top-flight Rijeka
Our NK Istra 1961 Pula vs HNK Rijeka preview notes that NK Istra 1961 have been a tough team to beat lately with two wins, two draws and one defeat in their last five matches. Oriol Riera, who took over as coach in September 2025, has set up his side to be a very compact, counter-attacking unit that can frustrate opponents by sitting deep and using their numerical advantage in the second phase to counter with pace.
The most dangerous player in the Istra 1961 squad is Smail Prevljak who has scored seven times in 14 HNL appearances this season, six of his side’s last ten goals. The hosts have a pretty strong home record in the HNL 2025/2026 with four wins, three draws and just one loss in their eight matches, conceding just 1.12 goals per game.
The NK Istra 1961 Pula vs HNK Rijeka prediction also takes into account that HNK Rijeka are in good form themselves with three wins and two draws from their last five games. Victor Sanchez, who took over as head coach in September 2025, has overseen an unbeaten run that has seen his team morph into a possession-based side that enjoys to build up play from the back with width and structure.
Rijeka’s tight away record suggests a low-scoring matchup
Rijeka’s top scorer Toni Fruk has eight goals in 17 HNL matches and is the cutting edge of a side that tries to press in unity and control the game. Based on the current form, the NK Istra 1961 Pula vs HNK Rijeka prediction leans towards a low-scoring contest. Istra’s average of 1.0 goals when hosting Rijeka and Rijeka’s away average of 0.5, combined with the current form and the way these sides play, suggests Tuesday’s game could be a low-scoring one.
NK Istra 1961 Pula vs HNK Rijeka betting tips point out that Rijeka are favourites at 2.22, but Istra 1961 are a good price at 3.31 for the win, with the draw at 3.15. However, I’m leaning towards the draw because of the way these two teams play and under 2.5 goals at 1.67. Istra have won two and drawn one of the last four head-to-heads against Rijeka, but the last two have been 0-0 draws.
