Istra 1961 vs Hajduk Split Prediction: Hajduk have a tough away game

This Sunday in Pula, a well-filled Aldo Drosina stadium is expected again, where Istra 1961 hosts Hajduk, and the match is in the focus mostly because of the meeting of two old friends Gattuso and Tramezzani, now as managers. "Green-yellow" will ask for forgiveness in front of their fans after the shipwreck in Rujevica against Rijeka, while Gattuso and his team must go for a win in this match as Dinamo are already ahead of them.

Form: LWLDW

Against the two best Croatian teams Dinamo and Rijeka, Istra conceded as many as nine goals in two games. Aggressive and high defense all over the field practiced by the Italian specialist, "failed" in the first two tests, so the real question is whether they will pull their last line a little backward against the third-best team in the league. Ukrainian midfielder Oleksandr Petrusenko made his debut in the green-yellow jersey in the first home game against Gorica. Can he do it again against Hajduk, who two seasons ago tried hard to bring him into their ranks, but in the end, nothing came of it. 

Form: WLDDW

Hajduk hopes to continue in a similar tone after the victory against Varazdin (2:1) in the last round. With a win, the Whites would climb to second or third position (depending on Rijeka's result), just two points behind the leader Dinamo, and will be in a good position before the biggest derby in Croatia. Gattuso is hoping for a moment of inspiration from Marko Livaja, who has scored ten goals against Istra so far, but he cannot count on Anthony Kalik, who played on the left wing. This opens up space for Sahiti on one side and Pukstas on the other, while Aleksandar Trajkovski, a player who can break through the opponent's lines, should work with Livaja. Gattuso is under great pressure, especially after failure in European matches, and he needs a win in a match like this one.

Paolo Tramezzani and Gennaro Gattuso have good things to say about each other before the match, and a warm greeting from the former rivals on the field from Serie A is expected, but on the field, we can expect a tough match. Hajduk will have big support from the stands even though they are a visiting team, and it seems that everything is ready for Gattuso’s first away win as manager of Hajduk.