After a few average seasons and some hot-cold performances without any taste and smell, Osijek’s club board decided to use the kids from their own football academy for their first team. They totally rejuvenated their squad, mainly cause they were previously hiring some questionable foreigners, and also due to the global crisis, but this move brought some improvements for the blue-whites. Osijek has got 6 Croatian U21 team players in the squad (occasional and regular), and recently their new coach became experienced Karacic. Osijek is a side that doesn’t have respect for anyone on their stadium, and love to fight hard, no matter if they face Dinamo, Hajduk or someone else. They’re playing good tactical footie with lots of short passes, and their entire team is set out quite offensively. However, their main problem is that quite often their young strikers don’t have enough calmness in front of the opposing goal, so the results sometimes don’t reflect Osijek’s real performances, which are often nothing but a total dominance on their Gradski Vrt stadium.
Weak guests
Zadar barely survived relegation last season, literally saving themselves in the very last 2 rounds. This season they again rejuvenated their squad, and hired the young Hajduk’s player Jonjic as the main reinforcement. The players that left are: Parmakovic, Zupan, Batur, Batkovski,Srzentic, Gregov, Mislov, Saranovic.... so they’re without almost half of their last season’s team. That reflected their results, and on the road they are quite poor with a 100% record of losing, 4 losses in 4 matches with a 4:11 GD.
All in Osijek`s favor
Zadar perfectly suits Osijek, especially when played at the Gradski Vrt stadium in Osijek. Since 1992. when the league was found until today, NK Osijek has an impressive record versus Zadar of 16-2-1. Adding that since 2005. they recorded only wins against them at home. With a lot of loud spectators in the stands I expect Osijek to maintain that impressive record. I believe in the sure win of the hosts and due to really poor Zadar’s away performances, maybe even a 2 or more goal win for Osijek is possible. Good luck!
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Prediction:
Tip: 1 AH (-1)
Odd: 1.96
Bookie: Bwin
Stake: 8 /10
Tipster: Kather
