Istra 1961 vs Hajduk Split: Summary, H2H Stats, Lineups & Highlights

As NK Istra 1961 prepare to host Hajduk Split on October 26, 2026, with kick-off at 18:00, this CROATIA: HNL fixture promises high stakes in a tightly contested mid-table battle.

NK Istra 1961, currently 6th in the standings with 12 points from 10 games, trail the leaders by 10 points. They've earned 7 points from 5 home games this season. Their recent form has been mixed, with 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses in their last five matches. They've shown defensive issues, conceding 6 goals. At the same time, they've displayed a positive attacking record, scoring 6 goals.

Hajduk Split, sitting 1st with 22 points, enter as favorites but face a tough test on the road, where they've earned 6 points from 4 games this season. Their recent form has been strong, with 4 wins and 1 loss in their last five matches. They've shown a solid defensive record, conceding 4 goals. At the same time, they've displayed a positive attacking record, scoring 8 goals.

Recent meetings between NK Istra 1961 and Hajduk Split have favored Hajduk Split, ending in a 2-2 draw. Over the past few seasons, Hajduk Split have held the upper hand in this matchup.

In their previous league match against Lokomotiva Zagreb, NK Istra 1961 recorded a 0-2 defeat while lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Their starting XI featured Kolic, Sepic, Kumar, Nasraoui, Hrvatin, Albarracin, Hodzic, Skafar Zuzic, Ahmeti, Frederiksen, Isaac. The formation provided flexibility in midfield, allowing for effective rotation and positional play.

Hajduk Split's last outing came against Varazdin, where they secured a 1-0 victory using a 4-1-4-1 system. Their starting XI featured Silic, Melnjak, Maresic, Hadzikadunic, Acapandie, Del Moral, Fayad, Soticek, De Almeida, Sutalo, Livaja. This tactical approach balanced risk and reward, adapting dynamically to the flow of the game.

Looking ahead, NK Istra 1961 are expected to maintain their unknown structure, NK Istra 1961 and Hajduk Split are expected to use their standard structures. The contest is set to revolve around midfield control, pressing efficiency, and how effectively each side manages transitions between defense and attack.

Goal trends from the last ten games across all competitions suggest plenty of goals: NK Istra 1961's fixtures have averaged 3.3 goals per game, with 7 going over 2.5 and both teams scoring in 50% of those matches, alongside 3 clean sheets. Hajduk Split's games average 2.8 goals, with 6 going over 2.5 and both teams scoring in 30% of those matches, alongside 6 clean sheets. With both sides showing defensive resilience, expect goals mainly from one team.

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