Gorica vs Rijeka prediction, betting tips and odds

Since Thursday, the rain has been flooding Turopolje and it seems as if Gorica and Rijeka are destined to play their third match in 2024 on a field more suitable for water polo than football. Their two matches in January and February will be remembered for a long time, when the remaining snow and relentless rain dictated events according to the motto “whoever scores, wins”, although both the results and Gorica's defeats (2:3, 0:2) were “tailor-made” by the referees, awarding as many as five penalty kicks against them, at least three of which were non-existent or extremely dubious and difficult to explain.

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Gorica

Form: DWLDL

On Wednesday, Gorica were dangerous in Djakovo and only thanks to a better penalty shootout could they knock the hosts out of the Croatian Cup and set up a round of 16 clash with Varazdin. In the end, after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes, goalkeeper Karlo Ziger was the hero, saving Mihael Dogan's shot in the fifth period. In the league, Gorica are in 7th place with 5 wins and got their first win in the league in the last round when they beat Sibenik 2-1 at this stadium. So far, they have one win and 2 draws at this stadium and will be looking to get as many points as possible here to avoid relegation.

Croatia

Form: DLWDW

The team from Kvarner will enter the continuation of the championship, unlike most other top-flight teams (except Osijek), who bought little or nothing before the end of the transfer window, with up to three new players, two of whom are classic strikers. The only thing that was a problem for Rijeka throughout last season, and partly continued in the new season, was a large number of “missed” chances, and everyone hopes that this period will also improve with the signing of Perica and Dogan, and a little earlier Andric. Rijeka had to create significantly more scoring chances than the opponent to ultimately count on a favorable result, and this was most evident in matches against stronger European teams, where Rijeka were not the favorites and where they had to take advantage of at least some of the few chances they created. Rijeka are in 3rd place, are undefeated in the league with 3 wins and a draw, and with a win here they can move up to 1st place.

Expert betting tips

If the approach is not right, if Rijeka does not assert itself as a much better opponent, there could be problems. Rijeka is a much better team, who already have a serious squad despite the likely departure of Veldin Hodza, one of the best young players in the league, to Russia, but against any team in the HNL, unless they are maximally cautious and motivated, they cannot expect easy points, and certainly not against Gorica, who play very well at home. All in all, I expect a game with not too many goals and a narrow victory for Rijeka.