Preview

In this game we have guests from Dugo Selo as favorites because of their
better results and higher standings on table where are occupying 6th
place while Osijek is on 12th spot in 14 teams league. But in this
league there are 5 teams separated by just 1 point so very high
placement of Dugo Selo is misleading since with just 1-2 points less
they could be even 10th. All these teams are stuck in the middle of
table since with 4 rounds left till the end are 4-5 points away from top
table teams, but also 10 points away from relegation so are safe. Next
league games look not that important for them except for better
placement, but there is very important cup final four games that are
waiting Dugo Selo in next week and I see their all focus is on this
while game with Osijek is just on the way and would be used as
preparation for more important cup weekend. Nobody will want to miss cup
final four where they have great chance to play in finals since have
beatable opponent in semifinals since draw was on their side to avoid
main favorites Podravka. Their opponent is Tresnjevka which has same
points on table so big chance for Dugo Selo. Because of this I doubt
they will enter too motivated in today game with Osijek and additional
disadvantage for them will be playing away. They are typical home team
since most of the points they achieve at home where have 7 wins with 2
draws and also 2 defeats, while in away games have just 2 wins 1 draw
and 7 defeats. Both wins were not that impressive since won by 3 and 6
difference and their highest away win was actually against worst team in
league Dalmatinka which is last placed with just 1 point and and they
beat them just goal higher than today spread. Osijek is much more
serious team which already have 11 points and in home game has 3 wins 1
draw and 6 defeats which is little better than Dugo Selo away stats.
They had bad start and most of their bigger defeats were in first part
of the season, but later they started to collect points and even their
defeats were more decent. Rcently they achieve two great wins in a row
first winning as visitors their rivals in relegation battle Arena with
big score 32:25 and followed this with impressive home win against
better placed Zrinjski which was set as similar favorite like Dugo Selo
but lost the game convincing 26:31. This win was probably Osijek bets
performance for Osijek this season and bring them to just 5 points from
Zrinjski which keep last survival place, but in last round Osijek was
not able to make surprise and lost by 6 from Tresnjevka . It was not bad
performance just opponent was stronger and in good form before cup final
four and additionally played at home. This keep Osijek still 5 points
away of direct salvation but with slim chances since there are just 4
rounds left, but they must keep on mind to protect their current 12th
spot which can also save them and will afford play out with teams from
second division. Osijek is currently 3 points above Arena but Arena has
easier schedule with sure points against Dalmatinka at home, while
Osijek can not be sure of points because of two tough visits and last
home game against Lokomotiva. So for Osijek only potential points till
the end of season could be taken in this home game with Dugo Selo and it
is confirmed by their coach, Jelena Crnov. She requests from players to
show their through potential and display like in their two recent wins
and not to play juts one good half like in recent two defeats from
Tresnjevka and Bjelovar which were both by 6 so still very close beside
weaker display. Now they should be very motivated in front of home fans
and here they showed some strong performances and close defeats against
stronger teams Koka and Sesvete by 5, lost by 2 from Umag and there is
also draw against Split. I don’t expect Dugo Selo will do much better
since as explained they are not much focused on this game unlike Osijek
and are bad visitors with even away loss from Arena so Osijek can good
chances to even win points here and definitely to protect 5 goals spread
which is in our interest.