Varaždin vs Istra 1961 Preview, Predictions, Analysis & Tips

2025/2026 1. HNL, Croatia

Stadion Anđelko Herjavec Sat, 23 May - 12:00 AM

1. HNL

Varaždin Varaždin

Istra 1961 Istra 1961

KICKOFF : Sat, 23 May - 12:00 AM

Round 36 Regular Season

CONTEXT

Varaždin host Istra 1961 in 1. HNL (Regular Season) at Stadion Anđelko Herjavec. Domestically, Varaždin sit 3th in the table while Istra 1961 are 5th. Power ranking favours Varaždin by 2.6 points heading into this fixture.

TL;DR

Structural: Varaždin hold a +2.6 pts power-ranking advantage heading into this fixture.
Form: Varaždin sit above baseline on opponent-adjusted form.
Squad: No major squad or availability edge; impact is neutral.
Efficiency: Varaždin show stronger possession-adjusted chance creation in the data.
Transition: Varaždin have a moderate edge in transition threat.
Set pieces: Varaždin carry higher set-play value and dead-ball upside.
xVariable: Varaždin hold a marginal advantage on underlying metrics.
Market: Varaždin 0% (Δ+0%) | Draw 0% (Δ+0%) | Istra 1961 0% (Δ+0%).

No standings statistics available.

No head-to-head records found.

0.5+ goals: 85%

1.5+ goals: 70%

2.5+ goals: 50%

3.5+ goals: 25%

Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15

Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%

Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

Team	xPts
Home	1.8
Away	1.2

Jan 25 vs Team A

Feb 1 vs Team B

Feb 8 vs Team C

N. Šafarić

G. Tomić

1.52

Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)

1.09

Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)

Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)

10 - 12 - 11

No sidelined player data available.

Win Probabilities

Live Win Probability (90 Min)

Varaždin

Draw

Istra 1961

Team Power Ranking

66.21

63.64

0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)

Metric

Varaždin

Istra 1961

Power Score

66.21

63.64

League Position

Global Rank

296

372

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

Varaždin — Opponent-weighted form score

Istra 1961 — Opponent-weighted form score

Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Varaždin Istra 1961

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 33 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Varaždin Varaždin Home

33 matches

Istra 1961 Istra 1961 Away

Match Record

Wins

Draws

Losses

Goals

Goals Scored

Goals Conceded

-4

Goal Difference

Data last updated: 2026-05-16T00:06:56+00:00

TEAM FORMATION

Official lineups and formations are usually announced 60–90 minutes before kickoff. Check back closer to the match to see the starting XIs here.

General Information

Date & Time :

May 23, 2026, 12:00 AM

Competition :

2025/2026 1. HNL, Croatia · Round 36 · Regular Season

Stadium :

Stadion Anđelko Herjavec

Capacity :

10800

Pitch Surface :

Grass

Weather :

☀️ 12°C, Fair

Squad

Manager ▼

N. Šafarić Coach

Squad ▼

Oliver Zelenika Goalkeeper

Josip Silić Goalkeeper

Roberto Punčec Defender

Petar Bočkaj Defender

Mateo Barać Defender

Frane Maglica Defender

Antonio Boršić Defender

Gregor Sikošek Defender

Mario Mladenovski Defender

Luka Škaričić Defender

Novak Tepšić Defender

Luka Posinković Defender

Domagoj Begonja Defender

Sven Lesjak Defender

David Puclin Midfielder

Mario Marina Midfielder

Aleksa Latković Midfielder

Tomislav Duvnjak Midfielder

Silvio Ilinkovic Midfielder

Luka Mamić Midfielder

Ivan Mamut Attacker

Matej Vuk Attacker

Stipe Jurić Attacker

Iuri António Teixeira Tavares Attacker

Ivan Canjuga Attacker

Manager ▼

G. Tomić Coach

Squad ▼

Franko Kolić Goalkeeper

Jan Paus-Kunšt Goalkeeper

Marcel Heister Defender

Advan Kadušić Defender

Samuli Miettinen Defender

Mohamed Nasraoui Defender

Rene Hrvatin Defender

—

Diego Rossi Defender

Niko Šepić Defender

Filip Taraba Defender

Raul Kumar Defender

Josip Radošević Midfielder

Leo Štulac Midfielder

Stjepan Lončar Midfielder

Antonio Mauric Midfielder

Gustavo Albarracín Midfielder

Dukan Ahmeti Midfielder

Israel Isaac Ayuma Midfielder

Smail Prevljak Attacker

Silvio Goričan Attacker

Emil Frederiksen Attacker

Vinko Rozić Attacker

Allen Obando Attacker

Charles Adah Agada Attacker

Dominik Celija Attacker

CONCLUSION

Overall, the structural indicators point toward Varaždin holding the stronger pre-match profile. Power rankings give Varaždin a 2.6-point edge. Projection probabilities are unavailable or insufficient in the available data for this fixture. The balance of play should hinge on execution in transitions and set-piece phases.

Varaždin vs Istra 1961 preview with tactical analysis, xG context, lineup signals, and data-backed betting insights for faster decisions.

Use this page as a quick-read snapshot first, then continue to deep stats and methodology references below.

About BestPreviews Methodology & FAQ More Match Reports

How We Build This Analysis

BestPreviews combines tactical context, lineup quality, xG trends, and form data across competitions. Read the full methodology and FAQ.

Explore League Previews

1. HNL, Croatia View all league clusters View methodology and FAQ

STANDINGS

CONTEXT