- Lokomotiva Zagreb are unbeaten in their last 5 games, with 3 wins and 2 draws.
- Rijeka have won 1, drawn 2 and lost 2 of their last 5 HNL games.
- Lokomotiva have won both of their last 2 home games, while Rijeka have taken just 1 point from their last 2 on the road.
Lively contest expected with both teams chasing European spots
Nikica Jelavic’s Lokomotiva Zagreb sit 5th in the HNL 2025-2026 standings after collecting 41 points from 32 games. They are just two points behind 4th-placed HNK Rijeka going into this weekend’s clash of the two European hopefuls.
The game promises to be an exciting one given Lokomotiva’s aggressive, high-tempo approach under boss Nikica Jelavic since he took over in July 2025 and Rijeka’s patient and possession-based philosophy under Victor Sanchez, who has done an excellent job since September 2025.
This NK Lokomotiva Zagreb vs HNK Rijeka preview highlights how Lokomotiva play in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 system that is set up to attack at every opportunity with vertical transitions, wing overloads and high pressing being key components. They have scored 23 goals in 16 home games in the HNL 2025/2026, while Rijeka have conceded 21 goals in 16 away trips in the competition.
Rijeka’s squad is the more talented and experienced
Rijeka’s approach is to control possession and play a patient style of soccer, pressing the ball in situations where it can win it back in good areas and altering their shape to control the pace of the game. The visitors like to get in behind and are just as adept at catching teams off guard when they become frustrated by their inability to break through.
There have been some great goals scored by both of these teams over the course of the campaign, but our NK Lokomotiva Zagreb vs HNK Rijeka prediction is that their respective styles and the fact that both teams will want to win this to keep their European aspirations alive should lead to an entertaining game.
Rijeka have the better players and more talent within their squad, but Lokomotiva have the form edge going into this matchup after winning both of their last 2 at home. The hosts are a very good bet at 3.12 to take all the points on Sunday, but the NK Lokomotiva Zagreb vs HNK Rijeka betting tips would suggest we’re going for an open game with goals at both ends.
Blaz Boskovic has been a key player for Lokomotiva
The odds are 2.0 for the Over 2.5 goals bet and 1.76 for Both Teams to Score - Yes. Lokomotiva’s Blaz Boskovic has been in fine form of late with 2 of Lokomotiva's last 6 goals, while HNK Rijeka rely on Toni Fruk to get the goals with 11 in 27 HNL appearances in 2025-2026. The NK Lokomotiva Zagreb vs HNK Rijeka prediction also hinges on the form of Tiago Dantas, who has scored 2 of Rijeka’s last 4 goals in the last 5 matches and could make an impact, while Aleks Stojakovic has 8 goals in 31 HNL games for Lokomotiva Zagreb, giving them a consistent goal threat in the top flight.
