- Istra are 6th in the HNL 2026/2027 with 0 points from 1 game and need to get a reaction quickly after their opening day slip up.
- Slaven are 9th in the HNL 2026/2027 with 0 points from 2 games and are already facing a pressure-point clash.
- Istra won the last head-to-head meeting between these sides 3-1 in the HNL 2025/2026. Slaven have failed to win any of their last 3 trips to Istra.
Two off the pace HNL sides face off
NK Istra 1961 Pula face off with NK Slaven Belupo in a pressure-point clash in the HNL 2026/2027 on Saturday and the early signs suggest this could be a tense, tight game. This preview points to a cagey affair, with Slaven in a worse spell than the home side, but Istra are the slight favourites at 2.12, with Slaven at 3.4 and the draw at 3.3.
Istra in transition
Javi Cabello has been in charge of Istra since June 2026 and his side have been in mixed form across all competitions during that time, going 0 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats in their last 5 games.
Istra followed up consecutive 2-2 draws with Udinese and Lecce with a 3-2 home loss to Lokomotiva Zagreb in the HNL 2026/2027 last time out and sit in 6th, yet to register a point.
Emil Frederiksen has been Istra's biggest threat in their opening 2026/2027 HNL game, scoring 2 of their 3 goals across their last 5, including one last time out. Marko Dabro has 1 assist and brings creativity between the lines.
Slaven in a slump
Mario Gregurina has been in charge of Slaven since July 2025, but his men are in worse shape than Istra, with 1 win and 4 defeats in their last 5 across all current competitions.
They lost 2-0 away to Dinamo Zagreb, before a 1-4 loss at home to Varaždin in the HNL 2026/2027, and now sit 9th in the table.
Ilija Nestorovski leads the scoring for Slaven in the HNL 2026/2027, with 1 goal in 2 games, while Filip Kruselj has been their hottest finisher in their current 5-game spell, scoring 2 of their 3 total goals.
Istra to edge it in a cagey match
Istra are built around defending compact and fast transitions, while Slaven favour pressing their opponents high, using midfield overloads. That contrast should give Istra the edge here, but Slaven are dangerous going forward, and this NK Istra 1961 Pula vs NK Slaven Belupo prediction leans towards a narrow home win.
Istra's home record in the HNL 2026/2027 is a little underwhelming so far, going 0 wins, 0 draws and 1 defeat at home, while they're letting in 3.00 goals per home game.
Slaven's away record in the HNL 2026/2027 is worse though, with 0 wins, 0 draws and 1 defeat, while they've also scored just 0.00 goals per away game and let in 2.00.
Under 2.5 goals is a low-odds bet at 1.8 and BTTS - No at 1.98 is a small choice, but our NK Istra 1961 Pula vs NK Slaven Belupo betting tips lean towards the value of a 1-0 Istra win here.
