HNL leaders Hajduk welcome a depleted Ajax to Poljud
Hajduk go into the game top of the Croatian league after Saturday’s 2-1 comeback win over Dinamo Zagreb, while Ajax have drawn their last two Eredivisie home games and travel with a long injury list. Kick-off is at 18:45, with Austrian referee Christian-Petru Ciochirca in charge. The game is at Stadion Poljud on Thursday, 15 October 2026, in the opening round of the Conference League league phase.
“Preferiram igrati loše i biti ekipa nego obrnuto.” – Hajduk Split manager Gonzalo García after the derby win over Dinamo
Predicted lineups: Hajduk vs Ajax
Ajax have lost their classic number nine, Kasper Dolberg, to a cruciate ligament injury that will keep him out until around the end of the year. Simon Adingra was not fit to travel, Yves Bissouma is not registered for the league phase, and Anton Gaaei (knee), Daley Blind (back) and Steven Berghuis are also missing. That leaves Tolu Arokodare to lead the line for Míchel Sánchez’s side. Hajduk are expected to stick with the side that beat Dinamo, with Michele Šego up front and Marko Livaja an option from the bench.
Hajduk Split Team News & Preview
Hajduk lead the HNL with 19 points from nine games and have scored 18 goals. Saturday’s derby summed up their season: Beljo put Dinamo ahead, McKenna’s own goal levelled it two minutes later and Bamba won it just before the hour, in a game that had to be paused for heavy rain in stoppage time. Their only defeat in their last five competitive games came at Rijeka (3-0).
The home form has been strong, with four straight wins at Poljud, and Hajduk have scored first in eight of their last ten games. Šego is their top league scorer with four goals and has six in Europe this campaign.
What works for or against Hajduk
- Top of the HNL with 18 goals in nine games.
- Four straight home wins at Poljud.
- Nine goals conceded in nine league games.
- Lost 3-0 at Rijeka in their last away league game.
Ajax Team News & Preview
Ajax are fifth in the Eredivisie with 15 points from eight games. They scored freely away from home in September, winning 5-1 at Fortuna Sittard, but at the Johan Cruijff ArenA they have drawn 2-2 with Excelsior and 1-1 with NEC, and lost 3-1 to PSV before that. Against NEC, Tolu headed them in front after seven minutes before Chery levelled from the penalty spot.
The defensive numbers are the issue. Ajax have conceded in each of their last five competitive games, and Míchel Sánchez now has to plan without Dolberg, Adingra and several experienced players. Brandt and Tolu share the club lead in the league with four goals each.
What works for or against Ajax
- 22 league goals in eight games.
- Won 5-1 on their last league trip, at Fortuna Sittard.
- Conceded in each of their last five competitive games.
- Dolberg, Adingra, Gaaei and Blind all missing.
Hajduk vs Ajax Odds
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Hajduk vs. Ajax Form Guide
Hajduk Form, Stats & Data
Hajduk score two goals per league game and concede one. García’s side tend to start fast, and with a full house behind them at Poljud they should get chances against an Ajax defence that has looked fragile.
Ajax Form, Stats & Data
Ajax average 2.75 league goals but concede 1.25. Brandt, Gloukh and Tolu give them plenty of quality in the final third even without Dolberg, but the absences in defence and midfield make them easier to hurt.
Hajduk vs Ajax: Prediction & Betting Tip
Ajax are clear favourites, but I do not trust them to keep Hajduk out. They have conceded in five straight games, they are missing Gaaei and Blind at the back, and Hajduk have been scoring early and often at home. At the other end, Ajax have scored in each of their last five games and have enough attacking quality to score in Split even without Dolberg and Adingra.
The one thing that gives me pause is the state of the Poljud pitch after last weekend’s downpour and the possibility that Hajduk sit deep and play for a draw against a stronger opponent. If the game turns into a scrappy one, a 1-0 either way is possible. But both teams‘ recent records point to goals at both ends.
The bet: Both Teams to Score – Yes at 1.55 with Winz. Score prediction: 1-2.