- Slaven Belupo have avoided defeat in their last two away matches
- Osijek have failed to win in any of their last three home matches
- Osijek are winless in their last five matches in all competitions (D3, L2)
Slaven Belupo in the top three and on a much better run than Osijek
Slaven are currently enjoying a much superior campaign to Osijek, sitting third in the HNL 2025/2026 standings with 25 points from 17 games compared to Osijek’s 10th with 13 points after the same number of matches.
Mario Gregurina took charge of the Koprivnica club in July 2025 and has instilled a highly-disciplined 4-2-3-1 system on his side which has seen them rise to the top-three in the standings. The visitors sit deep and defend in numbers when out of possession, but are quick on the break with their double pivot and wide runners operating effectively to spring the attack at speed.
In Nail Omerovic, Osijek have a focal point in attack and their leading scorer with six goals in 17 HNL games. Osijek will need him to be in the right place again on Saturday, but the latest NK Osijek vs NK Slaven Belupo prediction suggests their recent results may not be enough for a win.
Sopic’s side have yet to win under his stewardship
Zeljko Sopic became head coach of Osijek on October 30th 2025 and has looked to make the team play in a quicker style, with his 4-1-4-1 or 4-2-3-1 formations favoring vertical transitions and wide rotations. Osijek have lacked a clinical edge in the final third in their home games this season, which has cost them in terms of results.
Arnel Jakupovic has chipped in with two of Osijek’s six goals in the last five games to give them a late boost in the box, but Osijek are still winless under Sopic’s stewardship. The NK Osijek vs NK Slaven Belupo preview points out that Osijek have won just once at home in the HNL 2025/2026 (W1, D4, L3), averaging 0.88 goals per game.
Slavens’ counter-attacking prowess could see them avoid defeat
Osijek are rightful favorites for this game at 2.42, but we’ll take Slaven, who are 2.83, to avoid defeat again here with a ‘draw no bet’ bet. Osijek failed to win their last home HNL meeting against this opponent, the most recent being a 2-1 win for Slaven at home two months ago.
The NK Osijek vs NK Slaven Belupo prediction is influenced by Osijek’s home record, which is worse than their overall record in HNL 2025/2026, so it is difficult to see why they have been made such a short price to beat an in-form and well-organised Slaven side. This game will be a good test of Sopic’s influence on Osijek as the possession-based hosts come up against a compact block and counter-attacking style.
As for our NK Osijek vs NK Slaven Belupo betting tips, the 1.63 price on the ‘Both Teams to Score’ market seems a bit low here, with Slaven favouring to hit on the counter with the likes of in-form Adriano Jagusic (six league goals in 17 appearances, four in the last 10) in good scoring form.
