Istra 1961 vs HNK Hajduk Split prediction

AI match recap

Hajduk arrive as league leaders and in a strong winning rhythm, but this is an awkward away fixture after European travel. Istra have had extra time to prepare and Cabello has promised a more intense, better-organised response after defeat in Zagreb. The home side must contain Hajduk’s wide attackers and turn recoveries into fast counters. Pajaziti’s suspension is a manageable but real reduction in the visitors’ midfield depth.

Head-to-head analysis

This has been a competitive recent fixture rather than a one-sided rivalry: the last meeting finished level, and Istra have also taken notable wins in the recent sequence. Hajduk nevertheless won the most recent meeting in Pula, underlining how quickly the balance can shift in this matchup.

Injuries and absences

Istra have been affected by Maurić’s injury, according to Franko Kolić, though his role and diagnosis were not specified. Hajduk’s confirmed issue is Pajaziti’s suspension, which narrows central-midfield rotation after European travel.

Form (last 5)

Istra 1961 vs HNK Hajduk Split stats

Last meetings

• 2026-08-09HNK Hajduk Split 2-2 Istra 1961
• 2026-04-07Istra 1961 1-3 HNK Hajduk Split
• 2026-01-25HNK Hajduk Split 1-2 Istra 1961
• 2025-10-19Istra 1961 0-3 HNK Hajduk Split
• 2025-08-03HNK Hajduk Split 2-1 Istra 1961
• 2025-04-23HNK Hajduk Split 0-1 Istra 1961

Other HNL matches

• HNK Gorica – NK Lokomotiva Zagreb
• NK Varazdin – NK Slaven Belupo
• NK Osijek – Rudes
• Dinamo Zagreb – HNK Rijeka