Preview

Only reason for such big handicap on Osijek is their first meeting with
Lokomotiva when as visitors were demolished 12:41. But it was long ago
in first part of the season and their coach explained it like their
worst game ever and that need to be forgotten as soon as possible.
Actually Osijek had one more black out game also from first part of the
season this time at home when were defeated from best Croatian team
Podravka 13:40 and that’s it. There is no other Osijek game in entire
season that finished higher than today spread and I think will stay like
that after tonight meeting. Osijek didn’t played good first part of the
season because of which they gained just 1 win and draw against worst
two teams in league and 12 defeats including those two huge blow outs
from best two teams, but in second part of season things look much
better. In last 10 rounds they achieve 3 wins and 1 draw from which
last two victories were pretty convincing both by 7 goals difference and
in a row, while draw was at home against team higher placed in middle of
table. They are performing much better in home games where biggest
defeat was already explained from Podravka in their very first home game
back in September last year but later there is no higher than 10 goals
home defeat and no higher than 6 goals home defeat in 2017. So I see
plenty of value in this huge spread and doubt either Lokomotiva can
repeat their good performance or Osijek their bad performance from first
meeting.In second part Osijek did much better game even against leaders
Podravka beside it was away game and lost by just 28:43 which is 15
difference and I think will do even better at home against Lokomotiva
which is weaker than Podravka loosing from them 18:25. It supposed to be
only Lokomotiva defeat in Croatian league in entire season showing how
this two teams are too strong for rest of the league so everybody are
waiting their next duel, this time with Lokomotiva as host which will
decide the title since they will met in next last round and Lokomotiva
will need to chase higher win than previous defeat. They need just a win
here to keep 2 points distance to leaders and not chasing big difference
and their recent games confirm they play enough to just take the points
and save energy. They are coming from long season in which were part of
Challenge cup which they played till the very end since won it against
Sweden Hoors in two game duel before two weeks and after this cup win
their form looked in some decline since they barely won next two games
in Croatian league both by single goal difference against Sesvete at
home 26:25 and against Koka away 27:26. Now they should do the job
easier but still I doubt it will get close to 16 goals since it is
already reported that will want to give playing time to younger players
after win is secured. So they should play seriously only first half
which expect to be won by 5-10 goals and later will just keep the win
safe. They didn’t win any away game higher than 11 which was difference
against bottom placed Dalmatinka 29:18 and against second worst team
Arena was even less 33:26. Osijek is better than this two so should do
the same or even better. Also Osijek should be more rested since played
before 7 days, while Lokomotiva played before two days postponed game so
additional reason for rotations since it was tough match which they
barely won against 3rd best team in the league. It was also away so
double travel in short time and this game comes for them between two
strong opponents so obviously is where will be their focus and that
Osijek will be pretty much underestimated especially knowing they
destroy them before. Lokomotiva don't care much about this game which is
just distraction before next derby so will be used as easy practice,
while on the other side young and talented team of Osijek which have
plenty of youth national players will enter very motivated in front of
home fans since this game is big deal for them.