It lost its "numerical" designation "1st" or "Prva".
Now it is called only the Croatian Football League.
Last year's 2nd HNL became Prva liga (First League), and last year's 3rd HNL became Druga liga (Second League).
The change compared to last season is that Varaždin replaced Hrvatski Dragovoljac.
Generally, positions will be as same as last year, with weakened Rijeka.
Dinamo is the main favorite for the title. Although they have a weak coach and I expect torture in the qualifications for the CL, I do not believe that they will qualify, in the HNL they still have the strongest roster, which is now reinforced by Josip Drmić, a great goal scorer from Rijeka. They lack a good left back.
After 10 years, Hajduk had a winning season, finally ahead of Rijeka and Osijek, they also won the cup. They have perhaps the best coach in the league, they haven't changed the roster much and they could finally attack Dinamo this season.
Osijek blew out last year. In the moments when they were perhaps the closest to winning the title, they played very badly. Coach Bjelica has a bad relationship with the club, and probably only the high price of the break-up prevents that break-up. They lack more motor, fast players, they lack players with charisma. An unbalanced team. They will be third. I do not believe they will reach beyond the 3rd qualifying round of the ECL, regardless of the ELO ranking.
Rijeka is in a bad situation. The owner is leaving, the coach has already left, as well as the five best players. They will fight for the fourth place with Gorica and Lokomotiva. They will be eliminated in the second qualifying round of the ECL, unless they buy some replacements.
Lokomotiva and Gorica will fight equally for European cups with Rijeka.
Šibenik, Slaven Belupo, Istra and Varaždin will struggle to survive in the elite division. Only one club drops out. I expect Šibenik to be relegated.
