NK Osijek vs NK Varazdin Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper look at this Croatian scrap between Osijek and Varazdin. On paper, this looks like a mismatch, and the numbers don't lie - Varazdin are sitting pretty in 5th with 15 points, while Osijek are languishing down in 9th with just 9 points from their opening 11 games.

The form guide tells a proper story here. Osijek have been having a right old time of it lately, losing three of their last four league matches. They shipped four goals against Rijeka in their last outing, and before that, they were beaten by the big boys Dinamo and Slaven Belupo. To be fair, they did put four past Vukovar at home, but that's about the only bright spot in recent weeks.

Varazdin, on the other hand, have been much more impressive. They've bagged five wins in their last ten games, and here's the killer stat - they've been absolutely lethal on their travels. Sixty percent win rate away from home and they're banging in 2.6 goals per away game! They've already beaten Rijeka on the road this season and gave Hajduk Split a proper hiding at home.

The head-to-head is tight as a drum though - eight meetings, two wins each and four draws. Last time out it was a 0-0 bore draw, but Varazdin did win the previous meeting 2-1.

Osijek do score at home (two per game on average), but their defence has been about as solid as a chocolate teapot lately. Varazdin are averaging two goals per game overall and have been finding the net for fun on the road.

The bookies have got Varazdin as 3.60 outsiders, which looks a bit generous to me. Given their form and away record, that's proper value in my book. They're the better team, playing with more confidence, and they've got the attacking firepower to trouble this leaky Osijek defence.