HNK Rijeka v NK Slaven Belupo prediction

The match

HNK Rijeka host NK Slaven Belupo in the HNL on Saturday 19 December (kick-off 16:00 UK).

The key numbers

NK Slaven Belupo have conceded 25 goals, the most of the 10 clubs (2026/27 so far, after 12 games, ranked per game).

HNK Rijeka have scored in seven consecutive matches in all competitions.

Form and the table

Eight of HNK Rijeka’s last 15 results in all competitions went over 2.5 goals (53%). Both teams scored in 10 of HNK Rijeka’s last 15 results in all competitions (67%). At home, HNK Rijeka have five wins, one draw and one defeat in their last 7 home matches in all competitions — 2.29 points per game, scoring 2.14 and conceding 1.29. HNK Rijeka have scored 18 goals, the fifth-most of the 10 clubs (2026/27 so far, after 11 games, ranked per game). HNK Rijeka have conceded 15 goals, the fourth-fewest of the 10 clubs.

Nine of NK Slaven Belupo’s last 15 results in all competitions went over 2.5 goals (60%). Both teams scored in seven of NK Slaven Belupo’s last 15 results in all competitions (47%). Away from home, NK Slaven Belupo have one win, one draw and five defeats in their last 7 away matches in all competitions — 0.57 points per game, scoring 0.57 and conceding 2.00. NK Slaven Belupo have scored 14 goals, the third-fewest of the 10 clubs (2026/27 so far, after 12 games, ranked per game).

HNK Rijeka (fifth) and NK Slaven Belupo (eighth) are five points apart, 2026/27 so far. TACTIX’s Glicko-2 team ratings have HNK Rijeka the stronger side, 141 rating points above NK Slaven Belupo (HNK Rijeka 1642, NK Slaven Belupo 1501, after at least 335 rated matches each).

Head-to-head

The most recent meeting, on 11 October 2026, finished NK Slaven Belupo 4–1 HNK Rijeka.

Team news

Predicted HNK Rijeka XI (4-2-3-1): I. Vekič, A. Majstorović, A. Oreč, A. Husic, M. Devetak, T. Dantas, S. Vignato, T. Fruk, B. Pavić, I. Ćubelić, D. Adu-Adjei — derived from the last 8 line-ups, most-used eleven. By TACTIX Impact, Toni Fruk (5.2 per match over 13 appearances, four goals and four assists) and Branko Pavić (4.0 per match over eight appearances) have been HNK Rijeka’s most influential players 2026/27, all competitions. In numbers for HNK Rijeka (2026/27, all competitions, before kick-off), Toni Fruk averages 2.4 key passes per 90 over 993 minutes, with a key pass in seven of the last 10 appearances. Branko Pavić averages 0.9 key passes per 90 over 702 minutes, with a key pass in six of the last eight appearances.

Predicted NK Slaven Belupo XI (4-2-3-1): K. Sentić, D. Kovačić, J. Mersinaj, F. Krušelj, I. Urata, J. Mitrović, A. Adeshina, L. Crepulja, L. Banovec, L. Bošnjak, I. Nestorovski — derived from the last 8 line-ups, most-used eleven. By TACTIX Impact, J. Mitrović (5.3 per match over 13 appearances, three goals and two assists) and I. Nestorovski (4.8 per match over 12 appearances, eight goals and two assists) have been NK Slaven Belupo’s most influential players 2026/27, all competitions. In numbers for NK Slaven Belupo (2026/27, all competitions, before kick-off), J. Mitrović averages 2.7 key passes per 90 over 1067 minutes, with a key pass in 10 of the last 10 appearances. I. Nestorovski averages 2.9 shots per 90 over 868 minutes, with a shot in eight of the last 10 appearances.