Match summary

HNK Gorica - NK Varaždin is scheduled for 8 September 2026 at Gradski stadion Velika Gorica, Velika Gorica, in the HNL (https://www.sofascore.com/football/tournament/croatia/hnl/170). The market rates NK Varaždin as the favourite with the highest implied probability of an away win (roughly 46%). Home: HNK Gorica (https://www.sofascore.com/football/team/hnk-gorica/43917); away: NK Varaždin (https://www.sofascore.com/football/team/nk-varazdin/231380).

Form analysis and trajectory

• HNK Gorica: Winless in six league matches, with four defeats in their last five and a single draw supplying their only point. Their attack has produced two goals across six fixtures (0.33 per match) while conceding ten (1.67 per match), indicating limited chance creation and sustained defensive pressure. Average team rating so far is 7.31.
• NK Varaždin: A positive run featuring back-to-back wins, a single setback, then another win followed by a draw — three wins and four unbeaten results in five. They have scored 11 and conceded 5 across six matches (1.83 scored and 0.83 conceded per match), suggesting balanced attacking output with a sturdy defence. Average team rating is 7.78.

Comparison data

Key match insights

• Head-to-head: across 10 meetings, NK Varaždin lead 3–2 with 5 draws; the most recent match finished 1–1.
• Manager head-to-head: there is no recorded top-flight head-to-head between Mario Carević and Nikola Šafarić.
• Performance indicators: team average ratings favour NK Varaždin (7.78) over HNK Gorica (7.31).
• Market view: implied probabilities suggest away win c. 46%, home win c. 32%, draw c. 30% (overround adjusted).

Sentiment and predictions

Market and current form point towards NK Varaždin avoiding defeat, with their stronger defensive record and higher average ratings supporting an away-leaning outcome, while HNK Gorica’s limited scoring output increases draw risk.

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