Osijek vs Rijeka Prediction: Difficult times for both teams

After a meager point in three games, it is clear that Osijek needs a real result in the derby with Rijeka, in which they expect the visitors to play "unfocused" because of the important European test that awaits Rijeka on Thursday in Ljubljana. However, both teams are in crisis, especially Osijek, and this derby comes in a bad period for both teams.

Form: DDLDL

Osijek can’t make any more mistakes. Only a point from the three opening rounds set off the alarm at Pampas. The home team did not open the season well under coach Federico Coppitelli. Osijek were relegated from Europe by Azerbaijan's Zira, and in the Croatian championship, they have not won in three games. However, they already played against Dinamo and put-up fierce resistance, so Osijek fans still haven't completely written off their footballers. Now Osijek have the opportunity to show that they still belong among the four best teams in Croatia. The departure of Ramon Mierez and Andre Duarte does not help at all, but Coppitelli still has some quality individuals at his disposal. First of all, it is worth singling out the young Anton Matkovic, who has been playing great in attack lately. Osijek still have the young Domagoj Bukovic in the offensive line, and after a weak start in the new club, the Swiss Kemal Ademi is also trying to improve himself. 

Form: DWLDD

Rijeka have already changed their coach. Zeljko Sopic left the club, and Radomir Djalovic took over the bench. This match is played between two European matches with Olimpia, in which it will become clear whether Rijeka will be part of the Conference League by January or not. That is why the thoughts of the visiting football players may not be entirely focused on Osijek. However, Rijeka have quality in the ranks, especially up front. The young Franjo Ivanovic can always score a goal, while Marco Pasalic is in a class of his own on the right. The ideas of the new manager weren’t applied on the field in the previous matches, and it seems that Djalovic still has to adapt and work with his squad a lot.

Whether because of the last results, or because of the reputation in the domestic championship, the bookmakers gives Rijeka an advantage in this match, even though the derby is played in Osijek. I, on the other hand, believe that a very tough and uncertain match awaits us at the Opus Arena. Neither of them will risk much, especially not in the opening part of the duel. That's why I start by recommending a draw in the first half. I also do not expect the match between Osijek and Rijeka to turn into a spectacle with many goals. Quite the opposite, I expect to see less than 2.5 goals in this derby match.