HNK Gorica vs HNK Hajduk Split Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper look at this Croatian top-flight clash between Gorica and Hajduk Split. The table tells you most of what you need to know here - Hajduk are sitting pretty in 2nd spot with 22 points, while Gorica are languishing down in 8th with just 11. That's a proper gap in quality, make no mistake.

Gorica's recent form at home has been, shall we say, a bit ropey. They've lost three of their last four on their own patch, including a 1-3 thumping by Varazdin and a 1-3 loss to Rijeka. They're shipping goals for fun at home too - two per game on average in their recent home matches. Not exactly fortress-like, is it?

Hajduk, on the other hand, are doing the business on their travels. Four wins from six away games this season, and they've been keeping it tight at the back with just 0.67 goals conceded per game away from home. Recent away wins include a tidy 3-0 at Istra and a 1-0 at Vukovar. That's the sort of form that gets you promoted, not that they need it!

The head-to-head doesn't make pretty reading for Gorica fans either. Hajduk have won six of the nine meetings between these two, including a 2-0 win when they last met back in August. Gorica have managed just two wins in nine attempts against the Split outfit.

When you look at the stats, Hajduk are averaging 1.7 goals per game while keeping clean sheets half the time. Gorica, meanwhile, haven't kept a single clean sheet in their last ten matches. That defensive record is about as solid as a chocolate teapot.

The odds of 1.80 for an away win look about right to me. Hajduk are clearly the better side, in better form, and have the historical edge. Sometimes the simple bet is the best bet, and this looks like one of those times.