The 2026-27 Croatian HNL season opened in late July with NK Rudeš promoted from the Prva NL and HNK Vukovar 1991 already confirmed as the prior season's relegated side. Early standings after the first handful of matchdays show HNK Gorica rooted to the bottom on one point from five games, with NK Slaven Belupo and Rudeš also winless or near the foot on three points each, while mid-table sides such as Lokomotiva and Istra 1961 sit just above the drop zone. Gorica's long-standing defensive vulnerabilities and limited squad depth continue to weigh on their survival prospects, whereas the promoted Rudeš face a steep adjustment to top-flight intensity and schedule congestion. These opening results and historical patterns of lower-revenue clubs struggling to accumulate points have shaped trader consensus around the likely candidates for the single automatic relegation spot.