Dinamo Zagreb remain on top of the table after a rough week in European play, but a shocking result for Osijek has found the surging team on a slight downslope in league play.
Three goals from El Arbi Soudani was more than enough for the Modri to take care of NK Lokomotiva. Soudani scored his hattrick in the span of 40 minutes at Kranjčevićeva on Saturday evening, totally his season’s tally to four goals.
Dinamo now have a three-point cushion on Hajduk Split, who remain in second place after the week’s end.
But Hajduk’s ambition hopes they will not remain there long.
Hajduk coach Joan Carrillo stated earlier this week that there is now better time for Hajduk to clinch the title than this season. According to Carrillo, Rijeka will not be able to defend the title while also participating in the Europa League for at least the remainder of 2017. He also stated that there has never been a weaker Dinamo squad and should be easily conquered.
It’s a lofty goal for Hajduk, who haven’t won a title since 2005, but maybe, they’re due.
The Bili have been on the right path so far this season, earning five wins, a draw, and a loss, remaining three points back from Dinamo and added to their cause on Sunday, defeating NK Istra 1961 at Poljud. Ante Erceg and Nikola Vlašić made it on the scoreboard in the 2-0 win.
Istra is still looking for their first win of the season, sitting in last place with two points.
Rijeka is struggling to keep pace with the top of the table, finding themselves four points back with two losses already in the early stages of the season. They did however routinely defeat Inter Zaprešić 3-1 away over the weekend, with two goals from Heber and an added tally From Mario Gavranović.
A shocking upset in Vinkovci left Osijek on the losing side of one of Croatia’s best derbies.
Marko Pervan scored his league-leading fifth goal of the season to counter an early goal scored by Antonio Perošević, but Ivan Galić gave Cibalia the ultimate lead to give them their third-consecutive win. They moved up to sixth on the table, just a point shy of fifth place. Osijek have found themselves in fourth place, seven points from the top.
Slaven Belupo and NK Rudeš played to a tight 2-2 draw Saturday. Slaven held the lead going into extra time, but conceded a penalty in the 90th minute, which Tomoslav Havojić turned into his second goal of the game and stole a point away from home for Rudeš. Rudeš is still in search of their first win and sit in ninth place with three points, all from draws.
Video highlights will be posted when made available.
Almeida and Rebic would be a crazy duo. IF they sign Rebic I think they actually have a shot at the title this year
caveat! ha zaaaa!
murmurs about Rebic coming as well
Whoa, check this out, can’t make Bobby V look bad with his prediction. This would make an impact.
http://sportske.jutarnji.hr/nogomet/transferi/prava-transfer-bomba-s-poljuda-hajduk-dovodi-najzvucnije-pojacanje-u-zadnjem-desetljecu-na-meti-je-legendarni-i-vec-zaboravljeni-portugalski-napadac/6502387/
I think if we win both this weekend and
see a draw in turkey- Ukraine
and a draw in Iceland -ukraine
we would be sitting fairly well. losses really don’t help us in these matches as it really keeps them on our tails
@bobby
bobby remember that the “change” of Vlasic is a “caveat” so its actually not that bold.
Cacic saying Kalinic will not play against Kosovo – saying his transfer saga has him unprepared.
Also mentioned that Srna return rumor is not a reality at the moment.
Two tough away matches (Turkey next Tuesday and Ukraine in October) will determine our fate.
Bobby V-now that, my friend, is Bold.
Still predicting Hajduk will win the championship, even after losing Vlasic.
Didn’t mean to say that all bets were off if anything changed – just that Hajduk was the much better team for the two games I saw.
I think your reading a bit too deep there Plato
@Idemo- Ok you’re right.
To all except Idemo-
I predict West Ham will win the premiership barring any injuries or changes. I pretty much can’t be wrong, bc I can point to any injury or change as the reason they didn’t win.
I predict Dinamo wins championship (no caveats necessary)
@socrates I mean BZ
Don’t those caveats make it bold
@bobby
if u thought the atmosphere was unreal vs bondby u shoulda seen the everton game…until they scored from half field
@bobby but there will be changes & injuries for all teams. Not such a bold prediction with those caveats.
I forget who posted it, but someone called it. Looks like Everton is set to sign Nikola Vlasic after they knocked Hajduk out of EL. 8 mill is the rumored price tag.
Bold Bobby….bold…..
Just came back from a three week stay at my parents’ home on the small island of Osljak. Visited, SPlit, Dubrovnik and Zagreb as well.
Went tio the Hajduk-Brondby and Dinamo-Skenderbeu Europa League matches. The atmosphere at Poljud was unreal – way more enthusiasm than at Maksimir.
As of now, without changes or injuries, Hajduk is the better team. The played with much more ability and heart.
Hajduk will win the 2017-2018 HNL.