- Rijeka are unbeaten away from home in HNL 2025/2026 (Draw2 from 2) but yet to win away this season.
- Vukovar 1991 are winless at home (Draw2, Lost 1) from 3 games in HNL 2025/2026.
- Both teams are struggling to meet early season expectations with Rijeka in eighth and Vukovar in 10th.
Rijeka to grind out a win
Gordon Schildenfeld’s side are yet to find the formula that will get them their first top-flight win of the 2025-2026 season as Vukovar 1991’s struggles continue.
Vukovar’s 2-2 home draw with HNK Gorica last week was a first for them as they had been without a win in their previous five matches (2 draws, 3 defeats), including a 1-2 home loss to Slaven and a 4-0 thrashing at Osijek.
Vukovar have taken just two points from three games in Vukovar and have conceded five goals in the process. Schildenfeld’s team is based around a tight defensive block and hopes to frustrate the better sides in the league before hitting on the counter-attack or from set pieces.
Rijeka are another club that is yet to get going this season. The second city club have six points from their opening six games, although the fact that they are in eighth place will be more of a disappointment than the points tally. Victor Sanchez’s men were thrashed 5-0 in their last Europa League game at PAOK, but had drawn 2-2 away at Hajduk Split in the HNL and followed that up with a 1-1 draw at home to Lokomotiva Zagreb. For more insight, our Vukovar 1991 vs HNK Rijeka prediction suggests this could be a closer match than the recent results imply.
Wide game should give Rijeka an edge
Sanchez has started to instill his possession-first philosophy upon Rijeka, who are all about dominating the ball and playing a vertical, wide-based game. The Vukovar 1991 vs HNK Rijeka preview shows that Vukovar are going to block up and make life difficult for their guests, so this will be a test of Rijeka’s character and of Sanchez’s ability to make his team match up well in a different type of game.
Anel Husic has opened his account for Rijeka after three HNL games with one goal. Luka Menalo is the man to watch here, having scored two of Rijeka’s last five league goals. Robin Gonzalez is Vukovar’s main threat, scoring two of their four HNL 2025/2026 goals in the last five games - he is their leading scorer.
Backing Rijeka to squeeze out a victory is the play here as their odds of 1.615 are more than fair considering Vukovar are a 5.25 long shot. Rijeka should have more goal power and will make the game happen against a team that will be cautious, but Vukovar have enough defensive grit to keep it close on Monday. This Vukovar 1991 vs HNK Rijeka prediction highlights Rijeka’s offensive edge, though a tight result is likely.
The Under 2.5 goals line will appeal to those looking for a safer play on what should be a cagey encounter between two clubs that have yet to hit their stride in 2025-2026. Additionally, for punters considering the best angles, the Vukovar 1991 vs HNK Rijeka betting tips would emphasize the potential value in low-scoring outcomes.
