- NK Istra 1961 Pula are on a five-game losing streak, including three consecutive home defeats.
- Slaven have conceded an average of 1.94 goals per game on their travels in HNL 2025/2026.
- Both teams are struggling to stop conceding, and Slaven’s recent improvement in goalscoring should make this an entertaining matchup.
Slaven to capitalise on Istra’s slump
Kresimir Rezic has failed to reverse his side’s slump since taking over, with NK Istra 1961 Pula on a five-match losing streak, including three consecutive home defeats, but this NK Istra 1961 Pula vs NK Slaven Belupo preview highlights that Monday’s home team have always favoured a possession-based approach, and could be in line for a tough evening against Slaven’s high-tempo style.
Mario Gregurina’s side will pack the defense into a compact 4-2-3-1 system, and will look to play fast, vertical soccer in transition. The visitors are disciplined and patient, and Gregurina has successfully integrated youth players into the squad, which has a pragmatic, tough nature about it.
Slaven sit 7th in the HNL 2025/2026 table with 38 points from 32 games, two more than their home team on Monday, who sit 8th. Josip Mitrovic is their main scorer, with 8 goals in 30 appearances in HNL 2025/2026, but Ljuban Crepulja has shown a recent scoring form with 2 goals in his last five games, and could cause problems for Istra’s defense in this NK Istra 1961 Pula vs NK Slaven Belupo prediction.
NK Istra 1961 Pula have found goals through Smail Prevljak, who has 11 in 29 HNL 2025/2026 appearances, and remains their main outlet. The home side have been poor at home in HNL 2025/2026, with five wins, four draws and seven losses from 16 matches, conceding 23 goals.
Slaven can edge an exciting game
Istra are inconsistent pressers, with a lack of urgency when out of possession, and when coupled with Slaven’s transition play, should make for an end-to-end matchup.
The home team have been in poor form, and Slaven will be looking to take advantage of that slump to win the match, with both teams likely to score. For further insight, our NK Istra 1961 Pula vs NK Slaven Belupo prediction suggests a close contest with potential for both teams to find the net. Slaven are unbeaten in two meetings with Istra, winning the last meeting at home 1-0 two months ago. Additionally, consider these NK Istra 1961 Pula vs NK Slaven Belupo betting tips: odds of 2.72 for an away win are favorable, while Over 2.5 goals, priced at 1.93, and Both Teams to Score - Yes, at 1.7, also appeals.
