Rijeka vs Dinamo Zagreb preview

Croatia flag 2026/2027 1. HNL, Croatia
Stadion HNK Rijeka
1. HNL
RijekaRIJ
Dinamo ZagrebGNK
Postponed
Round 2 Regular Season

CONTEXT

Rijeka host Dinamo Zagreb at Stadion HNK Rijeka in a 1. HNL regular season fixture from the 2026/2027 campaign. Dinamo Zagreb enter as the stronger side with a power score of 83.56 compared to Rijeka's 74.26, creating a 9.3 point advantage for the visitors. League positions underline the gap with Dinamo sitting first and Rijeka placed fourth in the domestic standings. Both sides arrive without recent form data available, leaving the focus on structural elements and squad quality. The home side will look to exploit familiarity with the venue while the away team aims to impose its superior overall rating. Set piece information remains limited with low confidence metrics across both attacks and defences. This encounter highlights a classic top versus mid table clash where Dinamo's edge in key metrics shapes expectations for the contest.

TL;DR

  • Structural: Dinamo Zagreb hold a 9.3 point power advantage over Rijeka with scores of 83.56 and 74.26 respectively.
  • Form: Both teams have no recent form scores recorded ahead of this fixture.
  • Squad: Dinamo Zagreb are identified as the stronger squad in this matchup.
  • Efficiency: Efficiency metrics are unavailable for either side in the current data.
  • Transition: Transition details remain unspecified due to absent performance records.
  • Set pieces: Set piece data shows low confidence with no xG values available for both teams.
  • xVariable: No xG or expected variable metrics are provided for this league encounter.
  • Market: Rijeka 0% (Δ+0%) | Draw 0% (Δ+0%) | Dinamo Zagreb 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
Rijeka M. Kek
M. Kek
VS
Dinamo Zagreb M. Kovačević
M. Kovačević
1.65
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
2.65
2.33 i
Last 6 Opponents
Rudeš Rank: 51 W
Gorica Rank: 64 W
Istra 1961 Rank: 65 D
Vukovar Rank: 58 W
Lokomotiva Zagreb Rank: 67 W
Hajduk Split Rank: 75 D
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
2.67 i
Last 6 Opponents
Slaven Koprivnica Rank: 66 W
Lokomotiva Zagreb Rank: 67 D
Slaven Koprivnica Rank: 63 W
Hajduk Split Rank: 75 W
Gorica Rank: 64 W
Varaždin Rank: 70 W
1
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
1 - 4 - 3
3
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.
74.26
83.56
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Rijeka
Dinamo Zagreb
Power Score
74.26
83.56
League Position
4
1
Global Rank
162
50

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

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

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

Rijeka RIJ Home
8 matches
Dinamo Zagreb GNK Away
Match Record
1
Wins
3
4
Draws
4
3
Losses
1
Goals
8
Goals Scored
8
8
Goals Conceded
8
0
Goal Difference
0
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-08-08T16:00:33+00:00

STARTING XI - EXPECTED

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

General Information

Date & Time
Competition
2026/2027 1. HNL, Croatia · Round 2 · Regular Season
Stadium
Stadion HNK Rijeka
Capacity
8279
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair

Expected Lineup

Starting XI ▼

99
Aleksa Todorovic
Aleksa Todorovic Goalkeeper
18
Daniel Adu-Adjei
Daniel Adu-Adjei Centre Forward
4
Niko Jankovic
Niko Jankovic Right Wing
10
Toni Fruk
Toni Fruk Attacking Midfield
11
Gabriel Rukavina
Gabriel Rukavina Left Wing
5
Alfonso Barco
Alfonso Barco Left Back
6
Branko Pavic
Branko Pavic Defensive Midfield
23
Justas Lasickas
Justas Lasickas Right Back
26
Tiago Dantas
Tiago Dantas Defensive Midfield
34
Mladen Devetak
Mladen Devetak Left Back
45
Ante Majstorovic
Ante Majstorovic Right Back

Starting XI ▼

44
Ivan Filipovic
Ivan Filipovic Goalkeeper
11
Arbër Hoxha
Arbër Hoxha Midfielder
30
Fran Topic
Fran Topic Midfielder
9
Dion Beljo
Dion Beljo Centre Forward
6
Stjepan Radeljic
Stjepan Radeljic Left Back
7
Luka Stojkovic
Luka Stojkovic Central Midfield
13
Paul Tabinas
Paul Tabinas Right Back
15
Niko Galesic
Niko Galesic Right Back
22
Matteo Pérez Vinlöf
Matteo Pérez Vinlöf Left Back
27
Josip Misic
Josip Misic Defensive Midfield
80
Lukas Kacavenda
Lukas Kacavenda Central Midfield

CONCLUSION

Dinamo Zagreb carry the clearer structural edge into this home fixture for Rijeka, backed by a higher power rating and top position in the 1. HNL table. Rijeka will rely on home advantage at Stadion HNK Rijeka to challenge the visitors and close the gap shown in overall team metrics. With form records unavailable the emphasis falls on squad depth and league standing as primary indicators. Dinamo's ability to control proceedings from their stronger baseline positions them to dictate tempo and create opportunities. Rijeka must focus on organisation and set piece resilience to limit the away side's influence. The contest offers a platform for the league leaders to extend their domestic standing while the hosts seek to secure a positive result through disciplined play. Overall the matchup reflects a test of quality against home resilience in the Croatian top flight.