- Varaždin have won 4 and lost 1 of their last 5 matches in all competitions (D0).
- Rijeka have won 5 and drawn 0 of their last 5 in all competitions (L0).
- Varaždin won the last meeting between the sides 1-0 at home in 2025/2026 and 2 of the last 3 overall.
Tight matchup in prospect as hosts welcome in-form Rijeka
NK Varazdin sit 2nd in the HNL 2026/2027 table with 6 points from 2 games, whilst HNK Rijeka are 5th with 3 points from 1. Rijeka have won 5 of their last 5 games across all current competitions (W5, D0) and arrive in the Croatian town on a two-game winning streak following their 2-1 home win against Hajduk Split in the HNL 2026/2027 and a 4-1 thrashing of Slaven Belupo away.
Rijeka are also playing their best football of the campaign at this moment in time, winning 5 of their last 5 in all competitions (D0, L0). Matjaž Kek's side have been playing on the front foot, pressing and getting bodies behind the ball in a 4-3-3 system. They like to overload the flanks and pressure opponents into mistakes, but there's a tight matchup in the works when they visit Varaždin on Sunday. This NK Varazdin vs HNK Rijeka preview suggests a fascinating contest between two sides in form.
Home hoodoo is still very much alive
Nikola Šafarić's men have been compact, disciplined and clinical in a narrow 4-2-3-1 system so far in 2026/2027 and they seem perfectly content to sit deep and try to nick it in transition. Gregor Sikosek has been their supply line, notching 2 assists in 2 games in the HNL 2026/2027, but Luka Mamić has been their finisher, netting 5 in their last 5, including a current 11-goal run.
The clash of styles should be tasty, with Varaždin wanting to nick it in front of their own fans whilst Rijeka will aim to crank up the tempo and try to dominate possession. However, Rijeka haven't won in either of their last 2 away games to Varaždin, so the home advantage is firmly in the hosts pocket and an upset looks very live here. Our NK Varazdin vs HNK Rijeka betting tips lean toward the hosts making this uncomfortable.
Rijeka just edge it at the top
Rijeka are the betting favorite here at 2.14, but we're getting Varaždin at a healthy 3.3 and the draw is a similarly great price at 3.3, both of which look a touch overpriced and scream that a close game is expected.
Varaždin are unbeaten in the HNL 2026/2027 (W1, L0) and are averaging 2.00 goals per-game scored and 1.00 goals per-game conceded, a tidy base for another scrap. Daniel Adu-Adjei has been Rijeka's biggest threat so far with 1 goal in 1 HNL 2026/2027 game, whilst Tiago Dantas has 1 assist in 1 game. Ivan Canjuga has 2 goals in 2 games for Varaždin, making him their most reliable finisher in the HNL 2026/2027 to date. Our NK Varazdin vs HNK Rijeka prediction is that this remains tight until the final whistle.
Under 2.5 goals at 1.83 is the main selection for this clash, with a tight and tense affair looking more likely than a shootout. Rijeka are just edging it for us in the exact score market, but we're covering ourselves with the draw option as well. NK Varazdin vs HNK Rijeka prediction points to a narrow away result or a draw.
