- Slaven Belupo have failed to win any of their last 5 HNL matches (4 defeats, 1 draw).
- Vukovar 1991 have won 1, drawn 1 and lost 3 of their last 5 HNL games.
- Slaven have won 2 of the 3 HNL 2025-2026 matches played between the sides (D1, L0).
Tight game expected in local affair
The HNL 2025-2026 odds set the hosts Slaven Belupo at 1.73 favourites to beat 4.48 outsiders Vukovar 1991 at Stadion Gradski, Koprivnica on Saturday afternoon. Slaven are the better side on paper, but are in a poor vein of form and the visitors have just beaten NK Istra 1961 in their latest away game. This NK Slaven Belupo vs Vukovar 1991 prediction highlights the hosts' poor recent run contrasted with the visitors' away win.
NK Slaven are sixth in the HNL 2025-2026 standings with 37 points from 31 games and have failed to win in their last 5 matches, recording 4 defeats and 1 draw. The Koprivnica club have won 7, drawn 4 and lost 4 of their 15 home games in the division, averaging 1.47 goals scored and 1.27 goals conceded per game.
Mario Gregurina instilled defensive discipline and a counter-attacking style at Slaven, but there has been a dip in results of late and his players may have to improve on their 2-2 draw at Vukovar if they are to win this fixture. The visitors are 10th in the standings with 24 points from 30 matches and have won only 1 of 15 away games in the HNL 2025/2026, drawing three and losing 11, which is an important factor for the NK Slaven Belupo vs Vukovar 1991 preview.
Visitors can make a mark in Koprivnica
Tomislav Stipic has added more structure and intensity to Vukovar’s style of play since taking over as manager in March 2026. They play a 4-2-3-1 with an emphasis on pressing, while Slaven prefer to stay compact and make their moves in transition. When considering our NK Slaven Belupo vs Vukovar 1991 prediction, the tactical contrast between the sides comes to the fore.
Vukovar’s away record is dreadful, but there is a local rivalry to consider here as they are relatively new to the top-flight and will want to prove to Slaven that they are a force to be reckoned with. The hosts will need to be at their best to secure the win given the recent form of both clubs and the fact that Vukovar have never won at Slaven.
Adriano Jagusic is the top scorer for Slaven in HNL 2025/2026 with seven goals in 20 appearances and remains a threat, but Ljuban Crepulja has bagged two of their last four goals in his last five appearances. Jakov Puljic is the talisman for Vukovar in the same division with 12 goals in 24 outings and half of their goals in the last four games have been scored by the young forward, making him their most dangerous player.
Slaven’s home form is better than the odds suggest and the away record of Vukovar points to a home win, but our NK Slaven Belupo vs Vukovar 1991 betting tips recommend under 2.5 goals in this clash at 1.88 as it will be a very close game between two teams who don’t like to play at a high tempo. The clash of styles between a very compact and risk-averse Slaven side and a team with more structural intensity in Vukovar could be a tactical chess match that may be decided by shape and transition, but we expect the home side to have a little more in the tank to edge the game, as is reflected in the NK Slaven Belupo vs Vukovar 1991 prediction.
