Croatia
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NK Varazdin vs Slaven Belupo prediction for Sunday
NK Varazdin vs NK Slaven Belupo prediction time is here, and the Northern Croatian Derby has that familiar “local pride meets league points” feeling. This SuperSport HNL fixture kicks off at 15:00 GMT on 2026-04-12, and it’s the kind of match where the table pressure matters almost as much as the badge on the shirt.
Match story, tactics, and what usually decides it
This is the Sjeverni derbi—Varaždin and Koprivnica are neighbors, and these games often behave like classic mid-table six-pointers. Even when neither side is chasing the title, they’re usually chasing something important: a top-half finish, breathing room from the bottom, and bragging rights until the next meeting.
How Varaždin tend to play at home
At Stadion Anđelko Herjavec, Varaždin often look more comfortable with the ball. The idea is simple: keep possession, set the rhythm through midfield, and use width to pull the opponent’s shape apart. When it works, the home side can look patient and technical—more “build and probe” than “hit and hope.”
How Slaven Belupo usually respond
Slaven Belupo are typically the practical side in this pairing. They can be direct, physical, and difficult to break down, and they’re happy to let the opponent have the ball if it means they can attack quickly on transitions. In derbies like this, that style often comes with a second weapon: set-pieces. A corner or a deep free-kick can change the whole story.
Key things to watch (simple but important)
- Midfield battle: Varaždin’s tempo vs Slaven’s disruption. If Slaven slow the game down, they usually grow into it.
- Set-pieces: Derbies are tight; dead balls often decide them. Slaven are known for making corners and free-kicks count.
- Emotion management: Local games can get choppy. Staying calm matters as much as tactics.
Context from recent surprises and the head to head
The head to head angle adds spice. Their last meeting on 2025-10-25 ended NK Varazdin 1-3 Slaven Belupo. That result still lingers because the pre-match prices were not screaming “away win” (Varaždin were 2.1, Slaven 3.32), yet Slaven finished the job convincingly.
Both teams have also shown they can punch above their weight away from home. Varaždin’s 1:1 draw at Hajduk Split on 2025-11-29 came with massive win odds of 6.5, while Slaven’s 2:2 at Rijeka on 2026-01-24 had similarly long odds of 6.0. In other words: neither side automatically folds when the setting is hostile—useful to remember in a derby where momentum swings fast.
Odds, betting tips, and our AI picks
The market leans slightly toward the hosts, but not by much. Current 1X2 odds: Home win 2.37, Draw 3.35, Away win 3.15. That pricing fits the story: Varaždin at home with a bit more control, Slaven dangerous if the game turns messy.
NerdyTips AI recommended bet
The main betting tips angle from our model is goals rather than a risky winner call.
- Recommended bet: Over 1.5 goals
- Odds: 1.36
- Trust level: 5.1/10
Why it makes sense with the match context: derbies can be cagey, but this one also has the ingredients for at least two goals—Varaždin’s home initiative plus Slaven’s counter and set-piece threat. If the first goal arrives early, the game usually opens up.
For the full-time result, the AI lands on a narrow home lean: 1 (home win) at 2.37, but with a low confidence level of 1.5. That low confidence is a polite way of saying: “This derby can flip either way.” Still, the small edge matches the projected control and the slight market value advantage (Varaždin €9.55m vs Slaven €6.90m).
AI match projections (useful for prop bettors)
- Expected final score: 2:1
- Half-time score: 1:0
- Possession forecast: Varaždin 53% / Slaven 47%
- Total shots: Varaždin 13 / Slaven 10
- Shots on target: Varaždin 4 / Slaven 2
- Corners: 3-3 (6 total)
- Yellow cards: Varaždin 2 / Slaven 1
How to use this in a simple betting plan
If you’re a beginner, it’s usually smarter to follow the “less dramatic” market in a derby. That’s why Over 1.5 goals is the recommended play: it fits the predicted 2:1 script, and it doesn’t require you to perfectly guess the winner. The 1X2 leans Varaždin, but the confidence tells you it’s not a match to bet with your ego.
Final takeaway: this NK Varazdin vs NK Slaven Belupo prediction points to a tight derby where Varaždin slightly shade the control, Slaven stay dangerous on transitions, and two or more goals is the most sensible angle. For anyone searching “NK Varazdin vs NK Slaven Belupo Prediction” plus clean, practical advice—start with goals, then decide if you want the extra risk of the home win.
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Warning
NK Varazdin didn't play better in the last H2H match!
Best Tip
The best betting football prediction for NK Varazdin vs Slaven BO1.5 -278
At least 2 goals will be scored in the match with odds of -2781x2 Tip
1 137
NK Varazdin is expected to win with odds of 137Total Goals
Over 1.5 -278
At least 2 goals will be scored in the matchBoth Teams To Score
Yes -116
Both teams are expected to scoreBet Builder Tip
1X&O1.5 -118
Home win/draw and over 1.5 goalsCorrect Score
2:1
Stats Predictions
Average / Match
Overview Last 10 Matches
Head to Head
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9
-
7
-
10
|
|
Latest Matches
 NK Varazdin |
12-Apr-26
2:1
| Slaven B  |
| NK Varazdin |
25-Oct-25
1:3
| Slaven B |
| NK Varazdin |
10-Jan-25
1:0
| Slaven B |
| NK Varazdin |
16-Feb-25
0:1
| Slaven B |
| NK Varazdin |
24-Aug-24
2:0
| Slaven B |
| NK Varazdin |
26-Jan-24
1:2
| Slaven B |
| NK Varazdin |
28-Jul-23
2:2
| Slaven B |
| NK Varazdin |
27-Jan-23
1:0
| Slaven B |
| NK Varazdin |
17-Jul-22
0:1
| Slaven B |
| NK Varazdin |
08-Aug-20
1:0
| Slaven B |
Recent Matches of NK Varazdin
| 15 May | W |
Vukovar
| 0 |
NK Varazdin
| 2 |
| 09 May | D |
NK Varazdin
| 1 |
Lokomotiva Z
| 1 |
| 03 May | L |
HNK H
| 3 |
NK Varazdin
| 1 |
| 26 Apr | L |
Dinamo Z
| 2 |
NK Varazdin
| 1 |
| 22 Apr | W |
NK Varazdin
| 1 |
HNK Rijeka
| 0 |
| 17 Apr | W |
NK Osijek
| 0 |
NK Varazdin
| 2 |
| 12 Apr | W |
NK Varazdin
| 2 |
Slaven B
| 1 |
| 03 Apr | D |
NK Varazdin
| 1 |
HNK Gorica
| 1 |
| 20 Mar | L |
Istra 1961
| 2 |
NK Varazdin
| 1 |
| 13 Mar | W |
NK Varazdin
| 2 |
Vukovar 1991
| 0 |
Recent Matches Of Slaven B
| 10 May | W | Slaven B |
1 |  HNK Gorica |
0 |
| 04 May | L |  Istra 1961 |
3 | Slaven B |
1 |
| 25 Apr | D | Slaven B |
2 |  Vukovar |
2 |
| 21 Apr | L |  Lokomotiva Z |
2 | Slaven B |
1 |
| 17 Apr | D | Slaven B |
2 |  HNK H |
2 |
| 12 Apr | L | NK Varazdin |
2 | Slaven B |
1 |
| 08 Apr | L |  HNK Rijeka |
2 | Slaven B |
0 |
| 04 Apr | L | Slaven B |
0 | HNK Rijeka |
2 |
| 22 Mar | D | Slaven Belupo |
0 |  Osijek |
0 |
| 14 Mar | L |  Din. Zagreb |
4 | Slaven Belupo |
2 |
Croatia - HNL
| Team | M | G | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Dinamo Zagreb | 34 | 89-27 | 82 |
| 2 |
HNK Hajduk | 34 | 54-32 | 64 |
| 3 |
HNK Rijeka | 34 | 47-36 | 49 |
| 4 |
NK Varazdin | 34 | 43-46 | 48 |
| 5 |
Istra 1961 | 34 | 39-48 | 42 |
| 6 |
NK Lokomotiva | 34 | 39-51 | 42 |
| 7 |
NK Slaven | 34 | 45-55 | 41 |
| 8 |
HNK Gorica | 34 | 38-46 | 38 |
| 9 |
NK Osijek | 34 | 25-47 | 32 |
| 10 |
Vukovar | 34 | 34-65 | 28 |
