Dinamo Zagreb vs Kauno Zalgiris - prediction, team news, lineups

Dinamo Zagreb volition look to instrumentality different measurement towards the league signifier of the UEFA Champions League erstwhile they invited Kauno Zalgiris to Stadion Maksimir for the archetypal limb of their 3rd qualifying-round necktie connected Tuesday evening. 

The Croatian champions person already survived 1 scare successful Europe this season, portion the Lithuanian rubric holders get successful Zagreb hoping to proceed their awesome unbeaten tally nether Zeljko Sopic. 

Match preview

Dinamo Zagreb entered this season's Champions League successful the 2nd qualifying circular aft lifting the Croatian top-flight rubric past season, for the 26th clip successful their history, but their transition into the 3rd circular proved acold much hard than they would person anticipated. 

Mario Kovacevic's broadside were held to a 1-1 gully distant to Swiss outfit Thun earlier uncovering themselves 2-0 down wrong 22 minutes of the instrumentality limb successful Zagreb. 

However, goals from Dion Drena Beljo and Lukas Kacavenda wrong 4 minutes forced the crippled into other time, earlier Moris Valincic yet sealed qualification with a melodramatic 112th-minute victor to nonstop Dinamo done 4-3 connected aggregate. 

The Croatian giants person since returned to league enactment successful affirmative fashion, opening the defence of their home crown with a comfy 2-0 triumph implicit Slaven.

Last play proved different memorable run for Dinamo, who secured some the Croatian Football League rubric and Croatian Cup to further cement their presumption arsenic the country's astir palmy side. 

Despite their home dominance, they volition beryllium hoping to nutrient a acold stronger European run aft finishing 23rd successful past season's Europa League league phase, with conscionable 3 wins from eight. 

Unlike their opponents, Kauno Zalgiris person already had to negociate 2 qualifying rounds to scope this stage. 

The Lithuanian champions edged past Kosovo outfit Drita 4-3 connected aggregate earlier overcoming Faroese broadside Klaksvik 1-0 crossed 2 legs to acceptable up this gathering with Dinamo. 

Both ties were intimately fought affairs, with Kauno requiring precocious goals against Drita earlier Leon Krekovic's precocious onslaught proved capable to borderline past Klaksvik. 

Their home run is besides good underway, with Sopic's broadside presently sitting apical of the TOPLYGA aft 20 matches, though their past league fixture was implicit 2 weeks ago. 

The Green-Whites boast the champion attacking and antiaircraft records successful the division, scoring 38 goals portion conceding conscionable 15, and they are besides unbeaten nether Sopic since his astonishment accomplishment earlier this summer. 

Although this volition beryllium the archetypal competitory fixture betwixt the clubs, Dinamo's superior European acquisition and location vantage marque them overwhelming favourites heading into the opening leg. 

Dinamo Zagreb Champions League form:

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Dinamo Zagreb signifier (all competitions):

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Kauno Zalgiris Champions League form:

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Kauno Zalgiris signifier (all competitions):

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Team News

Dinamo Zagreb caput into the archetypal limb unbeaten successful each competitions this play and are expected to instrumentality with a mostly unchanged starting XI.

Beljo has started the caller run successful good form, scoring 3 goals successful his opening 3 appearances crossed each competitions, and is expected to pb the enactment erstwhile again. 

Valincic besides impressed successful the erstwhile qualifying round, scoring and assisting against Thun earlier being rested successful the league astatine the weekend, but the right-back is expected to instrumentality to the starting lineup here.

The lone notable absentee for the Croatian champions is Aleks Stojakovic, who remains sidelined with a metatarsal fracture which has kept him retired for astir 2 months.

Kauno Zalgiris, meanwhile, are expected to support religion with the broadside that started the 2nd limb against Klaksvik aft progressing to this signifier with different disciplined antiaircraft display.

The visitors could, however, beryllium without Leo Ribeiro, who was forced disconnected soon aft coming connected arsenic a substitute successful the erstwhile circular due to the fact that of injury.

Amine Benchaib has been Kauno's standout performer this season, scoring 10 goals crossed each competitions, and is expected to clasp his spot successful the bosom of a 5 antheral midfield.

Dinamo Zagreb imaginable starting lineup:

Filipovic; Valincic, Dominguez, McKenna, Goda; Topic, Misic, Vidovic, Zajc, Orsic; Beljo

Kauno Zalgiris imaginable starting lineup:

Svedkauskas; Moutachy, Tolordava, Lekiatas, Iyobosa Edokpolor; Burba, Benchaib, Baldassarra, Slivka, Ourega; Oliveira

We say: Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 Kauno Zalgiris

While Kauno Zalgiris merit tremendous recognition for reaching the 3rd qualifying round, Dinamo Zagreb person importantly greater quality, acquisition and firepower.

The visitors person proven hard to interruption down passim qualifying, but we expect the Croatian champions to marque location vantage number and instrumentality a steadfast two-goal pb into the 2nd leg.

For information investigation of the astir apt results, scorelines and much for this lucifer delight click here.