Sunday’s ‘Eternal Derby’ may be Hajduk’s most important match since last winning the Croatian Prva Liga all the way back in 2005. This will be the last weekend of matches before the HNL shuts down for winter break; with games resuming in late January. So much rides on this match and how the table will look going into the month-long hiatus.
Hajduk have a 7-point lead on Dinamo going into Sunday’s match, however, Dinamo have two games in hand. That means they can easily make up six points in the blink of an eye when the makeup games are played in 2024. So what’s at stake this weekend?
If Hajduk wins: they will have an impressive 10-point lead on Dinamo going into the winter break AND a 3-0 record against the reigning Croatian champs. There’s only one more game to be played between the two sides at Poljud in 2024. Another win at Maksimir this weekend and Hajduk can start the pre-order on confetti and champagne. Sure, we’re only halfway through the season, but Dinamo will surely drop more points to teams like Rijeka, Osijek, and Gorica. A 10-point lead would be hard to come back from. Hajduk would have an 8-point lead on Rijeka going into the winter break.
A Hajduk/Dinamo draw: this should be considered a win-win for both clubs. Hajduk would remain seven points ahead of Dinamo and six points in front of Rijeka going into the break. This is a win for Dinamo because they have two games in hand and can close the gap next year with positive results. Hajduk would remain undefeated against Dinamo this season with one more game to be played at Poljud.
If Dinamo wins: Game On! The league will be wide open for three clubs to take the crown: Dinamo, Hajduk, Rijeka. Dinamo would only trail Hajduk by four points and all the momentum Hajduk has built in 2023 will evaporate after 90 minutes at Maksimir. On top of that, Rijeka will only be five points back of Hajduk with one game in hand. It would be an absolute disaster for Hajduk after already beating Dinamo twice this season. And you know Splićani will have a miserable winter as the entire fanbase goes into panic mode.
+ for Hajduk: Dinamo had to play Thursday in Conference League so they won’t be as fresh as Hajduk. Will Marko Livaja wake up from the scoring slump he is currently in? What better game to do it? Livaja has only scored three goals (+2 assists) in Hajduk’s last 13 HNL matches.
I’m still sticking to my prediction at the beginning of the season: Hajduk Split — Croatian Champions 2024!
In reality, Split has only a 3-point lead against Rijeka, and a 1-point lead against Dinamo, if they are able to win their make-up games.
Why does HNL shut down for so long over the winter? Not many other leagues seem to do that? Is it because there are only 10 teams?
Harsh winter, coupled with poor quality fields unable to cope with snow and rain.
How is it the league has been playing games since late July and we still have unbalanced league. No other league does this. You make up the missed games sooner than later.
From what I have read from next year HNL will not be postponing matches due to European club commitments.
Delaying matches is fine in order to give the HNL clubs a better chance in their european matches is OK. Not making them up within a few weeks is the bigger problem. The teams that have played less games will now be able to make up those games after the transfer window is open.
Good result for Hajduk, however what a poor match. Slow tempo with no clear-cut chances in the entire match. Dinamo with more possession and more attacking intent however unable to create much against Hajduk happy to play for a draw.
Lousy game. Both teams played for the draw. I read somewhere that Baturina was recently ill (that’s why he was subbed off at halftime in their Conference League game earlier in the week), but he was really underwhelming. At some point he really needs to get to a new level in HNL before we get too excited.
Horrible game without a concrete chance for either side. Hajduk was more than happy to play for a draw. Dinamo just nothing in the final third. There only dangerous player today was Kameko
Anyone with links to the game.
The last game they played at Poljud was a borefest with poor soccer. Hope this one will be better.
I’m a Hajduk fan, but predicting a 1-1 match.
I really want simic to end up being a star and he is still very young. But recently looking like more promise from Ljubicic and ivanovic in terms of strikers
This HNL season has been amazing
Even though I’m a Hajduk fan, Rijeka looks like they have the best squad in my opinion
https://www.goalstube.online/2023/12/darmstadt-98-vfl-wolfsburg.html?m=m1
Majer with a goal.
Very strong statement. They can plan that in March if they are still ahead at that point. Let’s revisit this conversation then.
Can’t agree with you Ante. Let’s look at the numbers. IF Hajduk wins, they will have 43 points to the 33 points of Dinamo. But Dinamo has two games in hand, which if they win, would put Dinamo at 39 points. That is only a 4 point gap with half a season left to play. And if there is a tie, Dinamo is one point back if they win their games in hand. Season not even close to being over.
This is looking to be a legendary HNL season, with Hajduk finally being relevant, Dinamo being pegged back and not being able to recover from the sale of Liva and co, Rijeka being dangerous, and mid and low level teams picking off points from the Big Three. When was the last time the league was this interesting this far into the season?
The parity is a great thing for the league. Most people here want to see Brazilian soccer though, so they can save us from ourselves it seems. Go Brazil!!! We are open for business ! Make us great please!
ANTE Do you know if Croatian Hall in Pedro would be showing it?
No idea. DM them through Insta