Lokomotiva Zagreb vs Gorica preview

Croatia flag 2026/2027 1. HNL, Croatia
Stadion Maksimir Today - 7:00 PM
1. HNL
Lokomotiva ZagrebLOK
GoricaGorica
KICKOFF : Today - 7:00 PM
Round 2 Regular Season

CONTEXT

In the 2026/2027 campaign of the 1. HNL, Lokomotiva Zagreb welcome Gorica to Stadion Maksimir for a regular season fixture. The hosts occupy third place in the domestic table while the visitors sit ninth. Lokomotiva carry a power score of 68.36 against Gorica's 65.09, establishing a narrow overall edge of 3.3 points. Neither side brings recent form data into the contest, with both registering zero in that metric. Set piece evaluation relies on proxy information and carries low confidence due to absent xG figures. The encounter features two teams whose structural positioning suggests a measured contest focused on positional discipline and incremental gains rather than high variance outcomes.

TL;DR

  • Structural: Lokomotiva Zagreb sit third in the domestic standings while Gorica are ninth.
  • Form: Both teams enter with a form score of zero and no recent outing data available.
  • Squad: Lokomotiva Zagreb hold a slight power advantage of 3.3 points over Gorica.
  • Efficiency: Efficiency metrics are unavailable due to limited data for this fixture.
  • Transition: Transition play details remain unspecified in the available statistics.
  • Set pieces: Set piece data shows low confidence with proxy usage and no xG metrics provided.
  • xVariable: Power scores indicate Lokomotiva Zagreb at 68.36 and Gorica at 65.09.
  • Market: Baseline split: Lokomotiva Zagreb 0% (Δ+0%) | Draw 0% (Δ+0%) | Gorica 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

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
Lokomotiva Zagreb N. Jelavić
N. Jelavić
VS
Gorica M. Carević
M. Carević
1.31
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.19
1.17 i
Last 6 Opponents
Istra 1961 Rank: 68 W
Dinamo Zagreb Rank: 85 D
Hajduk Split Rank: 76 D
Varaždin Rank: 71 D
Rijeka Rank: 75 L
Osijek Rank: 66 D
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
1 i
Last 6 Opponents
Osijek Rank: 67 L
Rijeka Rank: 75 L
Osijek Rank: 66 W
Slaven Koprivnica Rank: 65 L
Dinamo Zagreb Rank: 85 L
Istra 1961 Rank: 66 W
5
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
5 - 1 - 2
2
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.
68.36
65.09
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Lokomotiva Zagreb
Gorica
Power Score
68.36
65.09
League Position
3
9
Global Rank
347
457

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
Lokomotiva Zagreb — Opponent-weighted form score
Gorica — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Lokomotiva Zagreb Gorica

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

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

Lokomotiva Zagreb LOK Home
8 matches
Gorica Gorica Away
Match Record
5
Wins
2
1
Draws
1
2
Losses
5
Goals
17
Goals Scored
9
9
Goals Conceded
17
+8
Goal Difference
-8
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-08-08T00:39:11+00:00

STARTING XI - EXPECTED

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

General Information

Date & Time
Aug 08, 2026, 07:00 PM
Competition
2026/2027 1. HNL, Croatia · Round 2 · Regular Season
Stadium
Stadion Maksimir
Capacity
24851
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Antonio Škobić
Marko Reljan
Filip Đerđ
Patrik Pavlešić

Expected Lineup

Referee : Antonio Škobić

Starting XI ▼

12
Josip Posavec
Josip Posavec Goalkeeper
7.24
7
Dušan Vuković
Dušan Vuković Midfielder
6.87
11
Mirko Susak
Mirko Susak Midfielder
6.03
24
Mirko Maric
Mirko Maric Centre Forward
6.93
5
Tino Jukic
Tino Jukic Left Back
6.74
4
Athanasios Triantafyllou
Athanasios Triantafyllou Right Back
7.51
8
Ivan Katic
Ivan Katic Central Midfield
6.92
10
Matija Subotic
Matija Subotic Defensive Midfield
7.7
29
Jakov-Anton Vasilj
Jakov-Anton Vasilj Central Midfield
6.36
17
Marko Pajac
Marko Pajac Left Back
7.15
23
Marko Vesovic
Marko Vesovic Right Back
6.82
Referee : Antonio Škobić

Starting XI ▼

71
Davor Matijas
Davor Matijas Goalkeeper
7.27
2
Filip Braut
Filip Braut Midfielder
6.97
7
Ognjen Bakic
Ognjen Bakic Midfielder
6.69
25
Bruno Bogojevic
Bruno Bogojevic Midfielder
6.88
99
Medin Gashi
Medin Gashi Midfielder
6.4
9
Patrik Mijic
Patrik Mijic Centre Forward
6.42
24
Domagoj Pavicic
Domagoj Pavicic Central Midfield
6.7
32
Jakov Filipovic
Jakov Filipovic Centre Back
6.64
34
Ivan Cvijanovic
Ivan Cvijanovic Left Back
7.1
36
Ante Kavelj
Ante Kavelj Central Midfield
6.97
45
Stefan Peric
Stefan Peric Right Back
6.49

CONCLUSION

Lokomotiva Zagreb enter as the marginally stronger side on the basis of league position and power metrics, yet the absence of recent form leaves room for Gorica to exploit any early lapses. The low-confidence set piece information adds uncertainty around dead-ball situations. Both teams will likely prioritize controlled possession and defensive structure over expansive risk-taking. With the venue favoring the hosts through familiarity, the match may hinge on small tactical adjustments rather than individual brilliance. Observers can expect a game defined by incremental advantages and disciplined execution across all phases of play.