Istra 1961 vs Rijeka: Summary, H2H Stats, Lineups & Highlights

As NK Istra 1961 prepare to host Rijeka on May 17, 2026, with kick-off at 18:45, this CROATIA: HNL fixture promises high stakes in a tightly contested title race.

NK Istra 1961, currently 6th in the standings with 42 points from 34 games, trail the leaders by 40 points. They've earned 22 points from 17 home games this season. Their recent form has been mixed, with 2 wins and 3 losses in their last five matches. They've shown defensive issues, conceding 6 goals. At the same time, they've displayed limited attacking output with 5 goals scored.

Rijeka, sitting 3rd with 49 points, enter as favorites but face a tough test on the road, where they've earned 20 points from 17 games this season. Their recent form has been mixed, with 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss in their last five matches. They've shown a solid defensive record, conceding 3 goals. At the same time, they've displayed a positive attacking record, scoring 8 goals. This balance has translated into consistently competitive performances.

Recent meetings between NK Istra 1961 and Rijeka have been competitive, with Rijeka claiming victory in their most recent clash (2-0). The head-to-head record remains evenly balanced between the two sides.

In their previous league match against Osijek, NK Istra 1961 recorded a 1-0 victory while lining up in a 3-4-3 formation. Their starting XI featured Kolic, Miettinen, Kumar, Taraba, Heister, Loncar, Radosevic, Hrvatin, Rozic, Prevljak, Frederiksen. With three at the back, the team looked to dominate possession and overwhelm centrally.

Rijeka's last outing came against Vukovar, where they secured a 3-0 victory using a 4-2-3-1 system. Their starting XI featured Zlomislic, Devetak, Radeljic, Majstorovic, Orec, Barco, Pavic, Gojak, Dantas, Lasickas, Adu-Adjei. A double pivot offered defensive protection while the attacking midfielder linked play between lines.

Looking ahead, NK Istra 1961 are expected to maintain their unknown structure, NK Istra 1961 and Rijeka 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 a moderate number of goals: NK Istra 1961's fixtures have averaged 2.3 goals per game, with 4 going over 2.5 and both teams scoring in 40% of those matches, alongside 2 clean sheets. Rijeka's games average 2.3 goals, with 4 going over 2.5 and both teams scoring in 20% of those matches, alongside 5 clean sheets. With both sides showing defensive resilience, expect a low-scoring affair.

ScoresFeed.com is covering NK Istra 1961 vs Rijeka in real time, providing live score of the match, team line-ups, full match stats, and live match commentary.