- Lokomotiva Zagreb have conceded 14 goals in 12 home league games in 2025/2026.
- NK Varazdin have conceded an average of 1.42 goals per game in 12 away league matches in HNL 2025/2026.
An open game is expected at Stadion Kranjčevićeva
NK Lokomotiva Zagreb (7th, 29 points from 24 games) host NK Varazdin (5th, 33 points from 24) in a regular-season game for HNL 2025/2026 on Saturday. Both teams have been in mixed form heading into this matchup, with each picking up 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats from their last 5 league matches, respectively.
Nikica Jelavic took over the reins at Lokomotiva in July 2025 and has wasted no time in implementing a pragmatic, shape-shifting 4-2-3-1 system that is built around exploiting transitions, creating and blocking width and making the game flow in his side’s favour. NK Lokomotiva Zagreb have won 6, drawn 3 and lost only 3 of their 12 home matches in HNL 2025/2026, so the hosts come into this game as favorites. For a closer look, our NK Lokomotiva Zagreb vs NK Varazdin preview provides insights into the strengths and weaknesses of both teams.
However, they are coming up against an opponent in the form of NK Varazdin that have failed to win on their last two visits to Lokomotiva. Nikola Safaric has been in charge of the visitors since December 2023 and has set about creating a structured, possession-based system in which his team build from the back, push their fullbacks on and create chances from wide areas.
Lokomotiva Zagreb are better at home
Varazdin have won 4, drawn 2 and lost 6 of their 12 away matches in HNL 2025/2026, while Lokomotiva Zagreb have won their last 2 home matches, beating Osijek 3-1 in their most recent fixture. The hosts are the NK Lokomotiva Zagreb vs NK Varazdin prediction favored side in this matchup in front of their own fans.
Both Teams to Score - Yes is available at 1.84, although there is no real value in those odds. Over 2.5 goals is available at 2.08, which is attractive, but our preferred play here is Both Teams to Score - Yes. This fixture is a good case to consider when looking for NK Lokomotiva Zagreb vs NK Varazdin betting tips.
A tactical matchup in the making
Aleks Stojakovic is Lokomotiva Zagreb’s top scorer this season with 8 goals in 23 league appearances and provides a reliable threat in the front line of this system. Varazdin’s top goalscorer is Ivan Mamut, who has 8 goals in the league, but 2 of these have come in his last 5 appearances, so he should be a goal threat again on Saturday.
This is a fixture that often produces an open matchup, and the contrasting tactical approaches of these two coaches will make it even more so on Saturday. While Varazdin tries to control the rhythm and create their chances from width, Lokomotiva will look to create and exploit gaps in the defense at speed and change the tempo to suit. There will surely be a tug-of-war in midfield and in the wings, so we expect a close matchup, but the NK Lokomotiva Zagreb vs NK Varazdin prediction still leans slightly towards the home side who have a better chance of winning in front of their own fans.
