Written by: Andrew R
With a new HNL campaign upon us, the CroatianSports team will break down the upcoming season and predict how each club’s year will unfold. Sit back, relax and let’s dig into a HNL season that is shaping up to be one of the most memorable yet.
1st — Dinamo Zagreb
While this may seem like the boring and safe answer for any HNL prediction, unlike in years past, Dinamo may really have to earn their league title this year. What will determine how much difficulty Dinamo faces getting through the league will depend on who leaves the club. Players like Petković, Ivanušec, and Livaković, who have all been instrumental in prior season’s championships, are heading out the door. To make this season successful Dinamo are faced with two major options: Figure out how to keep their star players or use the money they get from them to strengthen the squad. If Dinamo go with the second option, they will need to act fast as the other top four clubs will jump at any opportunity to get points from Dinamo with their star players missing. Overall, Dinamo have balanced periods like this before when they lost players such as Olmo, Gvardiol and Majer. Dinamo’s proven record to handle periods like this still make them a safe bet to take home yet another title.
2nd — Hajduk Split
Hajduk is witnessing a drop in quality in Dinamo and will be gunning for their first Croatian League title since 2005. While the task may be daunting for the first time in nearly two decades, it is feasible for Hajduk to push for a league championship. However, Dinamo are still rife with quality as Hajduk lags behind in star talent. If Hajduk are able to land both Žaper and Perišić, this could change the balance of power drastically. Hajduk will definitely be more competitive than Rijeka and Osijek with talents like Pukštas, Livaja, and Sigur. The history of the rivalry will push both of these clubs to their breaking point trying to battle it out for one of the most highly contested titles in years. However, Hajduk will find a way to finish 2nd.
3rd — Rijeka
Rijeka came off a very disappointing season last year in the HNL. They started the season abysmally and for a short period of time, were in the relegation zone. Despite the slow start, they rallied for a European berth and finished 4th. Rijeka slipped up towards the end of the campaign when 3rd place was a very real possibility but still made good work of a potentially disastrous season. Some Rijeka fans are favoring themselves for a title run but the loss of a player like Frigan may not be replaceable right away in the campaign. While Obregon can step up to be a goal scorer for Rijeka, he certainly will not have the impact Frigan would. Toni Fruk could be a reliable addition to the squad if he can replicate past seasons’ performances. Fruk reaching those levels can add him to a list of other reliable players such as Labrović and Selahi. With a little less depth than the teams above them on the list, Rijeka will just miss the mark on top-two this season.
4th — Osijek
Osijek had a major financial scare last season with unexpected costs in their construction of the Opus Arena. With that issue out of the way, they should be back to focusing on European play and competing with the big clubs in Croatia. While Osijek is typically counted out every season from being a real threat to Dinamo and Hajduk, this is slowly starting to change. Osijek’s underdog mentality allows them to be counted out every campaign and still come out on top and higher than anyone expected them. While 4th place will definitely be a let down to Osijek fans in the league, they will achieve success in other competitions outside of the HNL like the Croatian Cup.
5th — Istra 1961
After last season’s impressive campaign and just falling short of European soccer, Istra will look to push for an elusive European qualification spot this season in the HNL.This season may not be the year for the Pula-based club to achieve that. Istra does have top tier players such as Erceg and Majkić to allow them to be competitive with the big four. The one thing that will hold back this Istra team from being competitive with the big four is their squad depth. Istra lacks the talent off the bench that Dinamo, Hajduk, Osijek, and Rijeka all possess. If Istra can continue to develop their depth while protecting their top players from departing, they can become a real threat to the Croatian HNL sooner than later.
6th — Varaždin
Star man Tonio Teklić may be leaving Varaždin, however, that will not stop them from repeating last season’s finish. Michele Šego has been performing phenomenally in preseason and could very easily continue that form into the HNL. The attacking duo that Šego and Brodić can provide for Varaždin will allow them to be a threat to any team who doesn’t take them seriously. In addition, Varaždin has a more reliable backline than Lokomotiva which should give them the edge in the long run. While Varaždin’s attacking play will be good, they will still fall just short of Osijek and Istra in terms of consistency.
7th — Lokomotiva Zagreb
Despite usually being around the 5th or 6th place spot like last season, Lokomotiva will have games where they play very well and can be competitive. But at the end of the day they will not be consistent enough to break higher up into the table. Kačavenda is an excellent player for the Lokosi but without Soldo, Lokomotiva will struggle in the final third to score. The three teams above Lokomotiva on the list are in the same boat so they could easily shoot up to 5th, however, it may not happen this season with Istra and Varaždin much better on paper.
8th — Slaven Belupo
Slaven Belupo have constantly been a mid-table to lower-table side for many seasons in the HNL. While their quality has been decreasing, they are not as bad as the two sides below them. Slaven have built a system to keep them in the HNL year after year, and without any drive to push up the table, they will remain comfortably in 8th place this season to stay up in the HNL once again. While they have made decent signings that could pay off and shoot them a little bit higher up the table, they lack proven quality that the teams above them have.
9th — Rudeš
While many people are placing Rudeš in the relegation spot due to a poor end of the season in the 1.NL and almost losing their promotion spot to Vukovar, Rudeš will finish 9th this season for a couple of reasons. In the past four of five seasons, newly promoted sides have avoided the drop. The only team in the last five seasons to go back down was Hrvatski Dragovoljac, who had a far worse squad than the current Rudeš team. Couple the excellent business done so far from Rudeš to get Tomečak from relegation rivals Gorica and bringing in foreign talent like Oddei and Camara, that will allow this Rudeš side to get over the line and survive this season in the HNL.
10th — HNK Gorica
After željko Sopić pulled off the great escape with Gorica last season, many people felt as if Gorica had dodged a bullet. However, with minimal replacements for the offensive firepower they had last campaign, Gorica will struggle to replicate the same once more. In addition, Gorica lost the likes of Toni Fruk, Kristian Fučak, Ivan Tomečak, and Slavko Bralić to other HNL competitors. Transfers like this will not only hurt their squad in a relegation battle, but strengthen other teams they will compete against throughout the season. While it is a toss up between Rudeš and Gorica, Gorica’s lack of transfers to replace the players they lost will cost them a spot in next season’s HNL. For the Gorićani, lightning won’t strike twice to keep them up.
Cup Champions — Osijek
With Osijek potentially falling behind the other top four clubs in the standings early this season, an opportunity will arise for Stjepan Tomas to lead the Bijelo-Plavi to their first Croatian Cup win since 1999. If Osijek can get past the semifinals where they have been stopped countless times in seasons before, they very well could seize a chance to usher in a major Croatian trophy into the new era of soccer at Opus Arena.
Promotion: HNK Vukovar
Last season, Vukovar were extremely unlucky not to go up. After seeing Rudeš on a downward spiral, Vukovar brought the second league title down to just a point. After being in the third division just two seasons ago, good management from their owners and success from manager Miroslav Bojko can see Vukovar keep moving up the Croatian ladder. It would be the first time in the club would play in the Prva Liga under their new name. Vukovar’s old club disbanded due to financial issues in 2012, after being relegated just a season prior.
Predictions from the rest of the CroatianSports Team:
Markus:
1. Dinamo
2. Hajduk
3. Rijeka
4. Osijek
5. Lokomotiva
6. Varaždin
7. Istra
8. Slaven
9. Gorica
10. Rudeš
MVP: Livaja
Cup Champions: Rijeka
CroatiaU14:
1. Dinamo
2. Hajduk
3. Rijeka
4. Lokomotiva
5. Osijek
6. Istra
7. Varaždin
8. Gorica
9. Slaven
10. Rudeš
MVP: Petković
Cup Champions: Hajduk
Ante:
1. Hajduk
2. Dinamo
3. Osijek
4. Istra
5. Rijeka
6. Varaždin
7. Lokomotiva
8. Gorica
9. Slaven
10. Rudeš
MVP: Livaja
Cup Champions: Dinamo
DCC going to Lyon teaming up with lovren
Let’s hope he can get his career back
Tho will be tough to break our back line but doesn’t hurt to have that depth as we all know
Excellent first half by Dinamo, they should have been leading by 3 or 4 goals. Second half Livakovic made some great saves and some poor finishing by Astana. All in all, great result when you consider the artificial pitch, jetlag and the time difference.
Stanisic on fire
Two goals in two games
One against Kawasaki in Japan and one against Liverpool
I think it was that Turkey game when stanisic looked super dangerous going forward with good speed and accuracy
Yet they are talking about bringing Kyle walker from man city
Does he need to go somewhere where more appreciated?
He will be a vital piece in our next couple of tourneys
Again begs to ask the question should both jj and stanisic be in form
Should JJ slot up at rw?
Dinamo just won 2:0 easily, with many of their regulars not in the starting lineup. I like that Biscan is confident to rotate his squad and give some of the role players a chance.
I was impressed with Livakovic. Played his line correctly and challenged when he had to. Great game for him.
I would prefer he stay in dinamo
Maybe they make CL and has good confidence for euro
Who knows what happens there and get a big move
I feel overall would just be better for him and the repka to stay another year
But what do i know
Especially with a more seemingly more competitive hnl this year
I’d like to see Ivanusec, Sutalo, and Livakovic stay for another season. If the Gvardiol deal finally closes, then Dinamo has the luxury of holding out for higher/better offers. They don’t need sell anyone unless its on their terms.
Agreed
But I think ivanusec and sutalo need to make the next step now
But same like the liva situation. If they go and say don’t play and lose form then it will be a couple big pieces for euro that we need
We already know all three have the capability of playing at international level and being effective
We just need liva to keep his form from World Cup and get someone who can sort of convert and we can get the euro
Well, to all you blue boys out there, Hajduk won the first derby of the season in Zagreb! Then followed up by beating their second rival Rijeka is Split…..do you still think they lack quality for the title? They have strengthened the squad with some quality arrivals and have proved to be on the right track. Naprid Bili 💪
https://youtu.be/0Qjw6ssincY
Nasty leg break
Getting those Dudu vibes
If squeamish don’t watch
Total accident by Marcelo
ja tribam viagru da kurac mi digne
Really tough for us to predict at this moment, a lot can happen between now and the winter break. If one of our clubs advances and the others don’t then those teams will have the advantage.
Second, all the derby’s are gonna require both teams to be at their best. We need teams like Istra, Lokomotiva, Varazdin and Gorica to take points from the top 3 and then we can have a real challenge. I really hope want more than just one club to compete in Europe this season but while saying that I know it’ll give the advantage to the clubs that get knocked out.
It’s too early to tell who’s got bench strength at the moment, there will be some changes and we need to see how they affect each club!
Dinamo, to take it,……… not really going out on a limb on that prediction, kind of like the PRI party in Mexico, from 1920 -2000.
I with Ante, Hajduk have less talent scheduled to leave, but if Perisic comes aboard …….. Hadjuk all the way no doubt.
Maybe next next year but right now Ivan still hungry for the highest competition
He should go there with rakitic like they were saying on podcast
Take over the tactics and run the show
Dzeko is a Hajduk fan and wanted to go to Hajduk too. He’s actually a Croatian citizen now and has a place in Dalmacija.
I’m sure if Hajduk wasn’t so loyal to Livaja, they would have tried to get Perisic to bring Dzeko into the fold too.
I can’t see Rakitic being allowed to leave Spain to come to Split. If Raketa really said that, then it’s just Raketa being Raketa with his wishy washy talk ha ha.
Kvartuc throwing some serious shade for his pick for 5th place. We see you, Ante. We see you. 😜
https://www.footballfancast.com/tottenham-hotspur-ivan-perisic-transfers-news-ange-postecoglou/
Ivan and luka Gonna bring us the euro. Forget about 2026 then
If there is any season that someone might overthrow Dinamo, this might be the one. Dinamo looks likely to lose at least 2 of Livakovic, Josip Sutalo, and Ivanusec. I’m not really a fan of any team specifically in the league, but I want the league to be as good as it can be so I would prefer Dinamo to not win every season.
As for the Rokas Pukstas potentially playing for Croatia discussion on the previous thread. I would not expect it to happen. Similarly to Pulisic, he would make a lot more money being American than Croatian and the kid is born in the US. In terms of eligibility, I believe he would still be eligible to switch granted he were to stick around and gain citizenship. Sosa was not eligible for Germany due to playing for a youth team (U21s) in a competitive match after turning 21. It had nothing to do with when he gained German citizenship, from what I can tell.
https://www.croatiaweek.com/borna-sosa-not-eligible-to-play-for-germany-bierhoff-confirms/