Varaždin look to extend run at Stadion Anđelko Herjavec
Varaždin welcome Osijek to Varaždin on 8 February with momentum firmly on their side. The hosts sit fourth in the table after 20 rounds and arrive after a confidence-boosting run that has seen them take eight wins, five draws and seven losses overall. Recent form reads like a team hitting a vein of form: consecutive victories in league and friendlies, including a 2-0 away win over Slaven Koprivnica on 31 January and commanding mid-January displays that underline their attacking rhythm. Stadion Anđelko Herjavec will be lively for a crowd of up to 10,800 and referee Mateo Erceg will oversee a fixture that promises intensity — Varaždin’s home numbers show 14 goals scored at home and 12 conceded, with five clean sheets to their name.
Osijek’s inconsistencies and defensive frailties
Osijek arrive in ninth place, a side oscillating between bright moments and defensive lapses. Their 20-game return of three wins, eight draws and nine defeats, with 17 goals scored and 29 conceded, paints the picture of a team capable of surprises but equally prone to dropping points. A morale-boosting 1-0 victory over Rijeka on 1 February gives them belief, but their away form has been mixed; they have conceded heavily in some road fixtures and their away goals conceded (15) suggests vulnerabilities. Statistically both sides create chances — Osijek edge slightly on total shots and attacking entries — but Osijek’s nine losses and lack of consistent wins away from home leave questions about their capacity to dampen Varaždin’s momentum.
Key trends and what to expect
The numbers suggest a competitive, open match. Varaždin’s recent run shows a team confident in transition and finishing; their shots and dangerous attacks averages point to control in the attacking third. Osijek, while capable of goals, have shown defensive instability and a tendency to draw games rather than converting pressure into points. The most recent head-to-head in the Croatia Cup ended 1-1, so neither side can be written off, but home advantage and current form tilt the balance.
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Betting suggestion: Back Varaždin to win (1X2 market). The bookmakers place the home victory at 2.25, reflecting a clear edge for the hosts given their recent form, superior home solidity and Osijek’s inconsistency on the road. The data supports a confident home leaning rather than a speculative draw or away play.
