NK Varazdin

PREDICTED SCORE

3-0

Vukovar

The betting market is currently providing value on the home side due to their recent winless run. However, an NK Varazdin vs Vukovar prediction must prioritize Vukovar's complete inability to perform away from home. A team with zero away wins in 13 attempts is a massive underdog regardless of the opponent's form. We expect Varazdin's superior quality and home-field advantage to finally break their negative trend.

Match Preview & Form Guide

As we approach Round 26 of the 2025/2026 HNL season, NK Varazdin welcomes bottom-of-the-table HNK Vukovar 1991 to Stadion Varteks on March 13, 2026. This fixture represents a significant "get-right" opportunity for Nikola Šafarić’s side, who are currently entrenched in a frustrating five-match winless streak. Recent results for the hosts include a 1-1 draw at NK Lokomotiva and a disappointing 1-3 Cup exit to Gorica. Despite this slump, Varazdin maintains a respectable mid-table position (5th), anchored by the goal-scoring presence of Ivan Mamut.

For Silvijo Čabraja’s Vukovar, the struggle for top-flight survival has reached a critical point. While they have shown flashes of resilience at home—including a 3-2 victory over Istra in February—their away form is catastrophic. Vukovar enters this match with a dismal 0-3-10 away record this season, failing to secure a single win on the road. The January addition of veteran defender Josip Elez has stabilized the backline somewhat, but a recent 0-1 loss to Rijeka on March 8th underscores their continued difficulty in finding the back of the net against organized defenses.

• NK Varazdin Form: D-L-D-L-L (Last 5 matches across all competitions).
• HNK Vukovar 1991 Form: L-L-D-D-W (Last 5 HNL matches).
• Key Stat: Vukovar has conceded an average of 1.79 goals per game this season, the highest in the HNL.
• Absences: Vukovar is likely to remain without goalkeeper Antonio Đaković due to a long-term injury.

Tactical Analysis & Key Battles

Tactically, expect Nikola Šafarić to set Varazdin up in a proactive 4-2-3-1, looking to exploit the wings through Iuri Tavares. Varazdin’s primary objective will be to bypass the low block that Silvijo Čabraja usually employs on the road. The creative burden will fall on Aleksa Latković to find pockets of space between Vukovar's midfield and their newly reinforced defensive line.

The decisive battle will be Ivan Mamut vs. Josip Elez. Mamut’s physicality in the box is Varazdin’s greatest asset, while Elez’s experience is vital for a Vukovar side that often loses focus in the final 20 minutes of matches. On the counter-attack, Vukovar will rely heavily on Jakov Puljić, who has scored 10 goals this season and remains their only consistent threat. If Varazdin’s Mateo Barać can neutralize Puljić, the visitors will struggle to register on the scoresheet.