- NK Varazdin have won two and lost two of their last five games in all competitions (Draw 1).
- NK Istra 1961 Pula have won two and drawn two of their last five HNL 2025/2026 matches (Lost 1).
- One win apiece and three draws have been recorded in the last five head-to-head meetings between these sides.
Varazdin and Istra 1961 Pula to play out a tight match in Varazdin
Bookmakers favour fifth-placed NK Varazdin 2.5 for Friday’s HNL 2025/2026 match with visiting Istra 1961 Pula, but the home team are level on points with the visitors, who are in fourth spot, and have played one game fewer. Istra 1961 Pula are also just as short at 2.94 for this fixture, and the Draw at 3.0 looks very tempting for what we see as a very evenly matched game. Additionally, our NK Varazdin vs NK Istra 1961 Pula prediction points to a close contest given both teams' recent form.
NK Istra 1961 Pula have lost just one of their last five HNL 2025/2026 games, while NK Varazdin have won two of their five. One win each and three draws have been shared between these two sides in their five HNL 2025/2026 clashes this season, and another split of the points looks likely this Friday. This NK Varazdin vs NK Istra 1961 Pula prediction suggests that both sides have similar consistency, making it difficult to confidently pick a winner.
NK Istra 1961 Pula beat NK Varazdin 1-0 at home just two months ago, and the visitors also have the momentum to support a double chance wager here. Oriol Riera has been at the helm since September 2025 and has quickly implemented a more structured approach based around possession, central control and the ability to press opponents at the right moments.
Istra 1961 Pula can maintain pressure on leaders with a result
The game plan employed by Riera has produced some positive results lately, with the most recent being a 1-1 home draw with Slaven following a 0-0 draw away to Rijeka and a 5-1 hammering of Osijek on the road. Smail Prevljak is their most reliable source of goals with five in 13 HNL 2025/2026 appearances, but Lawal Fago has found his shooting boots recently, netting four of Istra’s last nine. For punters, our NK Varazdin vs NK Istra 1961 Pula betting tips recommend keeping an eye on these attacking threats.
Nikola Safaric has been in charge at NK Varazdin since December 2023, and his team has been a high-tempo, pressing outfit with plenty of energy to win the ball back high up the field and transition quickly. They have won their last two home games, beating Lokomotiva Zagreb 4-2 in the league and then beating Osijek on penalties in the Croatia Cup 2025/2026, although the team have not been so consistent away from home. The NK Varazdin vs NK Istra 1961 Pula preview highlights how important home advantage might prove in what is expected to be a balanced contest.
Aleksa Latkovic has been a reliable source of goals for the home side this season with four in 17 HNL 2025/2026 games, although he is more of a targetman than a predatory finisher. NK Istra 1961 Pula’s 4-2-3-1 formation is more rigidly structured than their opponents, but the two teams could be well matched in this fixture, with a tactical battle likely to ensue. Our final NK Varazdin vs NK Istra 1961 Pula prediction is that a draw looks very possible, but either team has enough to claim all three points if opportunities are taken.
Both teams to Score at 1.86 looks a good way to go as neither side has a goal drought and the bookmakers think they both have enough attacking quality to make their mark. NK Istra 1961 Pula’s recent form and momentum make them difficult to oppose for at least a share of the spoils as they have failed to win on their last two trips to Varazdin.
