Liam Duckstein
Osijek welcomes Slaven Belupo to Opus Arena in a regular season clash where both teams will be seeking redemption after a string of underwhelming results. The contest is more than a late-season formality. Both sides have a point to prove, especially with Osijek sitting just above the bottom of the table and Belupo not far ahead. The match brings a fascinating subplot as both teams have struggled to convert possession into goals this year. The spotlight falls on Osijek’s midfielder Vladan Bubanja, who has been a rare bright spot, and Slaven Belupo’s defender Filip Kruselj, whose scoring from the back sets him apart.
Hot stat: Osijek have scored just one goal in their last five matches, highlighting their attacking struggles at a crucial stage of the campaign.
| 🏆 Tournament: | 1. HNL 2025/26, Regular Season |
| 🏟 Venue: | Opus Arena, Osijek |
| 🗓️ Date: | 22.05.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 16:00 CEST |
Osijek vs Slaven Belupo prediction
We predict a low-scoring encounter, with Slaven Belupo the likelier to avoid defeat. Osijek have managed just one win from their last six games, and their home attack looks toothless. Slaven Belupo aren’t exactly prolific themselves but have demonstrated a slightly better conversion rate and resilience, including a recent win over Gorica and competitive draws. Both teams average fewer than two goals per game in recent fixtures, and their defenses are prone to errors but often bailed out by dogged midfield play.
Osijek rack up more yellow cards and fouls, reflecting a more physical but often desperate style. Their pass accuracy remains reasonable at 81%, but their inability to create chances is glaring. Slaven Belupo, with fewer fouls and cards, show a more composed, if not always effective, approach. Both teams struggle with ball progression in midfield, which could further limit goalmouth action. We lean toward a draw or a marginal away result, but the main value lies in a goals market rather than picking a winner.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Under 2.5 goals |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Under 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | No |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Under 9.5 |
Team Analysis
Osijek’s recent form has been worrying. Their last match was a 0-2 defeat to Gorica, where attacking intent was missing and their midfield rarely progressed the ball into dangerous areas. The previous four games brought only one goal—a lone bright spot against Hajduk Split. Defensive lapses have been frequent, and their only clean sheet came in a goalless draw with Lokomotiva Zagreb. Bubanja’s energy in midfield is vital, but Osijek’s attackers like Arnel Jakupović have not delivered when it matters.
Slaven Belupo recently fell 1-4 to Dinamo Zagreb but before that managed a hard-fought 1-0 win over Gorica, showing grit and defensive discipline. They conceded three to Istra 1961 in a defeat that summed up their inconsistency, but their ability to hit back with draws and the odd win means they rarely collapse. Kruselj’s goals from defense and Crepulja’s steady midfield influence provide hope, but the attack often lacks a finishing touch.
Most recent Head-to-Head Matches
| Statistic | Osijek | Slaven Belupo |
|---|---|---|
| Total shots | 62 | 63 |
| Corner kicks | 27 | 23 |
| Total fouls | 81 | 58 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 81 | 80 |
| Interceptions | 56 | 27 |
| Offsides | 2 | 16 |
🚨Check out our dedicated Osijek vs Slaven Belupo stats page for more info.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Osijek the favourite
- Moneyline Osijek 2.08 | Slaven Belupo 3.30
- Draw 3.35
- Over/Under Over 2.5 2.25 | Under 2.5 1.62
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes 2.00 | No 1.75
Bookmakers see Osijek as slight favorites due to their home advantage, but their recent results don’t inspire much faith. The draw price is tempting, reflecting both teams’ difficulties in creating and finishing chances. The under 2.5 goals market is strongly favored, which matches both teams’ offensive struggles and low-scoring head-to-heads. Both teams to score is priced higher for ‘yes’, again nodding to a likely tight, cagey game.
Possible Starting Lineups
Osijek possible starting eleven
- GK: Marko Malenica
- DF: Luka Jelenic, Emin Hasic, Nail Omerovic, David Čolina
- MF: Vladan Bubanja, Oleksandr Petrusenko, Ivan Barić, L. Vrbančić, Samuel Akere
- FW: Arnel Jakupović
Osijek should stick with their 4-2-3-1 formation. Malenica is the regular in goal and provides composure at the back. Jelenic and Čolina offer stability as fullbacks, while Omerovic and Hasic bring energy and cover. Bubanja is the midfield engine, Petrusenko controls passing, and Akere adds width. Jakupović leads the line, but needs support from the midfield three to be effective.
Slaven Belupo possible starting eleven
- GK: Osman Hadžikić
- DF: Filip Kruselj, Vinko Međimorec, Zvonimir Katalinic, Dominik Kovačić
- MF: Ljuban Crepulja, Ivan Cubelic, Gabrijel Sivalec
- FW: Marko Dabro, Igor Lepinjica, Losika Ratshukudu
Slaven Belupo also favor 4-2-3-1 but may tweak to a 4-3-3 if chasing the game. Hadžikić is a reliable presence in goal. Kruselj is a threat from set pieces, while Međimorec and Katalinic marshal the center. Crepulja brings control in midfield, Sivalec and Cubelic offer link-up play. Dabro, who can operate across the front, should get the nod up top, flanked by the pacey Lepinjica and Ratshukudu.
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Osijek. Source: Official Facebook. Edited photo
The Verdict
We predict a tense, low-scoring contest with a draw the most likely result, possibly 1-1 or 0-0. Osijek lack attacking spark and rely on Bubanja for creativity. Slaven Belupo show more balance and have a greater threat from set pieces through Kruselj. Both sides concede regularly, but neither attack looks poised to take full advantage. The safest value bet is on under 2.5 goals, with a slight lean to Slaven Belupo for a surprise away win if Osijek’s attack continues to falter.
