Istra 1961 vs Lok. Zagreb: Summary, H2H Stats, Lineups & Highlights

As NK Istra 1961 prepare to host Lokomotiva Zagreb on January 30, 2026, with kick-off at 18:00 under referee Vukancic, this CROATIA: HNL fixture promises high stakes in a tightly contested title race.

NK Istra 1961, currently 6th in the standings with 30 points from 22 games, trail the leaders by 18 points. They've earned 16 points from 10 home games this season. Their recent form has been weak, with 1 win, 1 draw and 3 losses in their last five matches. They've shown defensive issues, conceding 11 goals. At the same time, they've displayed a positive attacking record, scoring 6 goals.

Lokomotiva Zagreb, sitting 7th with 26 points, enter as underdogs but face a tough test on the road, where they've earned 8 points from 11 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.

Recent meetings between NK Istra 1961 and Lokomotiva Zagreb have favored NK Istra 1961, ending in a 1-1 draw. Head-to-head results have gone either way in the last few seasons.

In their previous league match against Dinamo Zagreb, NK Istra 1961 recorded a 0-4 defeat while lining up in a 4-3-3 formation. Their starting XI featured Kolic, Kadusic, Miettinen, Maresic, Kumar, Nasraoui, Loncar, Radosevic, Frederiksen, Prevljak, Ahmeti. This shape emphasized attacking fluidity, with wide players providing constant threat in advanced positions.

Lokomotiva Zagreb's last outing came against Slaven Koprivnica, where they secured a 0-2 defeat using a 3-4-2-1 system. Their starting XI featured Posavec, Jukic, Mbacke Diop, Kolinger, Pajac, Katic, Boskovic, Posavac, Vukovic, Susak, Stojakovic. The chosen system aimed to exploit specific weaknesses in the opposition while maintaining structural integrity.

Looking ahead, NK Istra 1961 are expected to maintain their 3-4-2-1 structure, Lokomotiva Zagreb are likely to mirror that shape. 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 80% of those matches, alongside 0 clean sheets. Lokomotiva Zagreb's games average 2.8 goals, with 4 going over 2.5 and both teams scoring in 70% of those matches, alongside 1 clean sheets. With both sides capable in attack, expect goals at both ends.

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