Istra 1961 vs Dinamo Zagreb preview

Croatia flag 2026/2027 1. HNL, Croatia
Stadion Aldo Drosina
1. HNL
Istra 1961Istra 1961
Dinamo ZagrebGNK
KICKOFF :
Round 5 Regular Season

CONTEXT

The 1. HNL regular season fixture at Stadion Aldo Drosina features Istra 1961 against Dinamo Zagreb in the 2026/2027 campaign. League positions highlight a clear gap with the hosts in seventh and the visitors occupying top spot domestically. Power ratings underscore Dinamo Zagreb's edge at 82.28 compared to 64.99 for Istra 1961, creating a 17.3 point advantage for the away side. Form scores further tilt toward the leaders with 36.83 versus 11.08. This encounter offers Istra 1961 an opportunity to test their resolve at home against a dominant force. Dinamo Zagreb will aim to maintain their standing through structured play and squad depth. The match promises tactical interest given the contrasting profiles of the two sides.

TL;DR

  • Structural: Istra 1961 sit seventh in the domestic standings while Dinamo Zagreb lead the table in first place.
  • Form: Recent form favors Dinamo Zagreb with a score of 36.83 against Istra 1961's 11.08.
  • Squad: Dinamo Zagreb are identified as the stronger squad with a power score of 82.28 to 64.99.
  • Efficiency: Efficiency statistics are not provided in the current dataset.
  • Transition: Transition metrics show no available details for analysis.
  • Set pieces: Set piece data indicates low confidence with proxy usage for both teams.
  • xVariable: The power advantage stands at 17.3 points in favor of the visitors.
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

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
Jan 25 vs Team A
Feb 1 vs Team B
Feb 8 vs Team C
Istra 1961 L. Cabello
L. Cabello
VS
Dinamo Zagreb M. Kovačević
M. Kovačević
1.06
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
2.65
0.83 i
Last 6 Opponents
Rijeka Rank: 72 L
Slaven Koprivnica Rank: 62 W
Hajduk Split Rank: 75 D
Lokomotiva Zagreb Rank: 65 L
Varaždin Rank: 70 L
Rijeka Rank: 71 D
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
2.33 i
Last 6 Opponents
Varaždin Rank: 71 W
Rudeš Rank: 50 W
Rijeka Rank: 74 D
Slaven Koprivnica Rank: 62 W
Lokomotiva Zagreb Rank: 65 D
Slaven Koprivnica Rank: 62 W
2
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
2 - 1 - 5
5
No sidelined player data available.

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
64.99
82.28
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Istra 1961
Dinamo Zagreb
Power Score
64.99
82.28
League Position
7
1
Global Rank
389
54

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.

–
vs
Istra 1961 — Opponent-weighted form score
Dinamo Zagreb — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Istra 1961 Dinamo Zagreb

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 8 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Istra 1961 Istra 1961 Home
8 matches
Dinamo Zagreb GNK Away
Match Record
2
Wins
5
1
Draws
1
5
Losses
2
Goals
8
Goals Scored
20
20
Goals Conceded
8
-12
Goal Difference
+12
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-08-28T00:27:00+00:00

STARTING XI - EXPECTED

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 4-3-3
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Competition
2026/2027 1. HNL, Croatia · Round 5 · Regular Season
Stadium
Stadion Aldo Drosina
Capacity
9800
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair

Expected Lineup

Starting XI ▼

1
Franko Kolic
Franko Kolic Goalkeeper
7.2
94
Hamza Jaganjac
Hamza Jaganjac Centre Forward
7.3
80
Ivan Saranic
Ivan Saranic Attacking Midfield
6.99
97
Advan Kadusic
Advan Kadusic Right Back
6.36
3
Mohamed Nasraoui
Mohamed Nasraoui Right Back
6.74
4
Raul Kumar
Raul Kumar Left Back
7.04
13
Niko Sepic
Niko Sepic Left Back
6.67
88
Daouda Doumbia
Daouda Doumbia Defensive Midfield
6.67
8
Antonio Mauric
Antonio Mauric Defensive Midfield
6.45
22
Emil Frederiksen
Emil Frederiksen Right Wing
8.12
30
Nik Skafar Zuzic
Nik Skafar Zuzic Left Wing
6.71

Starting XI ▼

33
Ivan Nevistic
Ivan Nevistic Goalkeeper
6.65
21
Mateo Lisica
Mateo Lisica Attacker
6.65
11
Arbër Hoxha
Arbër Hoxha Attacker
7.04
9
Dion Beljo
Dion Beljo Centre Forward
8.26
13
Paul Tabinas
Paul Tabinas Right Back
6.93
15
Niko Galesic
Niko Galesic Right Back
7.58
6
Stjepan Radeljic
Stjepan Radeljic Left Back
7.25
3
Bruno Goda
Bruno Goda Left Back
7.01
80
Lukas Kacavenda
Lukas Kacavenda Central Midfield
7.43
27
Josip Misic
Josip Misic Central Midfield
7.08
8
Miha Zajc
Miha Zajc Central Midfield
7.04

CONCLUSION

Dinamo Zagreb carry clear momentum into this league fixture based on their leading position and elevated power metrics. Istra 1961 must harness the home setting at Stadion Aldo Drosina to disrupt the visitors' rhythm and seek a positive result. The absence of detailed efficiency and transition data places emphasis on on-field execution rather than pre-match projections. Squad quality remains the decisive element with Dinamo Zagreb favored to control proceedings. Both sides face limitations in set piece insights which may shift focus toward open play patterns. Overall the contest highlights the gap between mid-table ambition and title-contending consistency in the 1. HNL.