Slaven Belupo vs Rijeka Football Prediction

Slaven Belupo vs Rijeka Football Prediction
Date: May 14, 2025 | Competition: Croatia Cup

Key Insights and Analysis

1. Head-to-Head Dominance
   Rijeka holds a significant historical advantage, winning 40 out of 86 direct encounters, compared to Slaven Belupo’s 17 victories, with 29 draws. Recent meetings show Rijeka has won 3 of the last 5 matches, including a 2-1 victory in their most recent clash . Notably, the last three H2H matches saw under 2.5 goals and no both teams scoring (BTTS) .
2. Current Form and Performance

• Rijeka:
  • League Position: 2nd in the Croatian 1. Division (61 points), showcasing strong form with 6 wins in their last 10 matches .
  • Away Form: Unbeaten in their last 8 Croatian Cup away matches, including 4 consecutive wins by 2+ goals .
  • Defensive Strength: Concedes only 0.5 goals per game in the Croatian Cup and has kept 24 clean sheets in 44 matches .
• Slaven Belupo:
  • League Position: 5th (45 points), struggling with inconsistency, winning only 1 of their last 5 matches .
  • Home Form: Averaging 0.5 goals scored per home game in the Croatian Cup and failing to win in their last 4 matches .

1. Recent Trends

• Rijeka has won 4 of their last 5 Croatian Cup matches, with over 2.5 goals in 4 of these games .
• Slaven Belupo has conceded 11 goals in their last 5 matches, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities .
• Both teams have scored in only 30% of Slaven’s recent games, compared to 20% for Rijeka .

1. Prediction and Betting Tips

• Match Outcome: Rijeka is favored to win (56% probability) due to superior form, historical dominance, and defensive solidity . A 1-2 victory for Rijeka aligns with their attacking momentum and Slaven’s defensive lapses .
• Goals: Under 2.5 goals is likely, given recent H2H trends and Rijeka’s low average of 0.93 goals conceded away . However, some models suggest Over 2.5 goals due to Rijeka’s recent high-scoring cup games .
• Both Teams to Score: No (BTTS: 30% for Slaven, 20% for Rijeka), as Rijeka’s defense often shuts out opponents .

Final Prediction

Slaven Belupo 0-1 Rijeka
Rijeka’s defensive discipline and Slaven’s offensive struggles point to a narrow away win. While a 1-2 scoreline is possible if Slaven capitalizes on home advantage, a clean sheet for Rijeka is more likely given their recent form .

Betting Tips:

• Result: Rijeka Win
• Under 2.5 Goals
• BTTS: No

For live updates and lineup details, refer to platforms like Sofascore or FotMob .