D. Zagreb vs Dortmund Prediction: 27/11/2024

Dinamo Zagreb, not initially expected to challenge the top teams, has a chance to secure a place in the top 24 and fight for a spot in the round of 16. Heading into matchday 5, Zagreb is 16th in the standings with 7 points, just 2 points behind the Germans, who will visit tonight.

The Croatian side recently won their last two Champions League matches, defeating Slovan Bratislava 1-4 and Red Bull Salzburg 0-2 away. However, their campaign didn’t start well, with a heavy 9-2 loss to Bayern Munich and a 2-2 draw with Monaco. Domestically, Zagreb is in the top 3 of the Croatian league and will aim to get back to winning ways after a 2-2 draw with Gorica just before the break.

Borussia Dortmund, last season’s Champions League finalists, is a team to watch, despite not being heavily favored in this new format. Many underestimated them last year, yet they finished top of a tough group containing AC Milan, Newcastle, and PSG, even knocking out PSG in the semifinals.

Dortmund has struggled on the road recently, suffering six straight defeats in all competitions, including a 1-0 German Cup loss to Wolfsburg and a crushing 5-2 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League. In the current Champions League season, Dortmund has accumulated 9 points with wins over Club Bruges (0-3), Celtic (7-1), and Sturm Graz (1-0), though they faced weaker opposition.

For Dinamo Zagreb, key players like starting goalkeeper Nevistic, who missed the trip to Slovan Bratislava, remain uncertain for tonight. Colombian Juan Cordoba, who was absent in the league before the break due to a back issue, might also miss the match.

Sandro Kulenovic, who has scored 3 goals in the Champions League and 8 goals in 13 league appearances, will be a crucial part of the attack. Petkovic, who has 3 goals and 2 assists in the league, is fit but wasn’t called up for Croatia’s October matches due to injury recovery.

Dortmund is dealing with a long list of injuries, including key players like Adeyemi (3 goals in the Champions League), Duranville, goalkeeper Köbel, Reyna, Süle, and Anton, who struggled against Real Madrid. Despite these setbacks, Dortmund has other talented players, such as Brandt (3 assists in the Bundesliga), Nmecha, Gittens (3 goals in the Champions League), Malen, and Guirassy (6 goals and 1 assist in 8 Bundesliga appearances).

Dortmund has also welcomed back defender Ryerson and Yann Couto (on loan from Manchester City).

 

Prediction

Dortmund, having lost the first leg, will need to chase the game, and it’s notable that 11 of their last 13 away games in the Champions League have seen at least two goals. Similarly, 16 of Dinamo Zagreb’s last 20 home matches at this level have featured over 2.5 goals. A high-scoring match is expected in this encounter.

Prediction: Dinamo Zagreb 4 – 2 Borussia Dortmund.