Lokomotiva Zagreb vs Hajduk Split Prediction: Hajduk always have troubles in Zagreb

Lokomotiva and Hajduk from 19:30 at the sold-out Kranjceviceva in the 18th round of the SuperSport HNL play a match with a huge role in the fight for the title. The leading Hajduk with a deceptively large seven points more than Rijeka and even nine more than Dinamo must win against the relieved Lokomotiva, which often gives them problems in Zagreb. Namely, three of the four matches of these rivals there ended in a draw, and this time Hajduk would not be satisfied with that outcome. Hajduk therefore have a big nine-point advantage over their biggest rival and the current champion, but Dinamo have two games less, while in this round they have a much easier task than Hajduk. Also, Rijeka have 7 points less than Hajduk but with a match less played. Hajduk, after Lokomotiva, will have another away game in Zagreb until the end of the half-season, against Dinamo.

Form: DWLDD

In the previous round, in a match with as many as three red cards (we also counted the coaching staff and management of Rudes) in which the goalkeeper of Rudes excelled, Lokomotiva were left without three points and recorded a draw against the currently weakest team in the league. It is not satisfactory for Lokos, who could get closer to the fifth-placed Osijek with a victory, to only four points behind. Now they are facing a heated Hajduk and a tough game in which they will have difficulty getting points with their current score despite solid games on the field. Namely, Lokomotiva are without a win in seven consecutive championship rounds and that does not seem encouraging at all before the clash with the current leader. 

Form: WWWWW

At this moment, Hajduk have every right to hope for the first title since 2005. With a great game at Poljud in the last round, Gorica were outclassed 3:0, and coach Mislav Karoglan has remained Mister 100% since taking over the team from Split. Now they always have an unpleasant visit to Lokomotiva, where they used to slip up, but right now we are looking at a new, strong Hajduk who play for the result and trample everything in front of them. Hajduk are on a streak of six championship victories and we believe that they will continue in the same tone against the average Lokomotiva, which they already defeated this season at Poljud in the first match between them.

When Hajduk are in such good form, it is worth watching them and giving them confidence for, in our opinion, their victory. Lokomotiva are not playing badly, but are struggling with results, while the team from Split are in brilliant form, which they should continue in Zagreb and maintain their advantage at the top of the table before the biggest derby in Croatian football next round. Today, Hajduk only needs to win, because if they don’t win against Lokomotiva, then even a possible victory against Dinamo is not such a success. The reason is that with the failure of Hajduk against Lokomotiva and the expected victory in their matche, Dinamo can in a few days halve the advantage of the leaders and again have a game less.