Viking FK vs Dinamo Zagreb - prediction, team news, lineups

Within touching region of history, Viking FK volition invited Dinamo Zagreb to Stavanger connected Wednesday evening, erstwhile the brace implicit their Champions League playoff.

All quadrate aft last week's archetypal leg, the hosts person ne'er reached the radical oregon league signifier of Europe's apical competition, portion Dinamo purpose to suffice for the 2nd clip successful 3 seasons.

Match preview

Viking's archetypal Champions League run since 1992 - erstwhile they were beaten by Barcelona successful the archetypal circular - got disconnected to a unspeakable start, arsenic they trailed by 2 goals wrong 10 minutes past week.

The Norwegian broadside had mislaid each 7 of their erstwhile two-legged UEFA ties - including past year's decision to Istanbul Basaksehir successful the Conference League qualifiers - and they were near staring astatine different aboriginal exit.

Yet they came roaring back, stunning Stadion Maksimir with a sublime onslaught from Peter Christiansen earlier skipper Zlatko Tripic hauled them level arsenic fractional clip approached.

So, the Stavanger nine are inactive precise overmuch successful contention for 1 of 7 spots near successful this season's league phase; adjacent decision would spot them instrumentality a consolation spot successful the Europa League.

Led by sporting manager Erik Nevland and associated caput coaches Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim and Morten Jensen, Viking earned their changeable astatine the large clip by halting Bodo/Glimt's home dominance past term.

Having yet ended a 34-year hold for glory by topping the Eliteserien, they present way existent leaders Bodo by 1 point, with a grounds of 13 wins, 1 gully and 3 defeats.

While Viking's league crippled was postponed to assistance their Champions League chances, Dinamo were backmost successful home enactment astatine the weekend, beating NK Varazdin 3-1.

Top scorer Dion Drena Beljo was connected people erstwhile again, arsenic the Zagreb nine fought backmost from down to support their cleanable grounds intact, making it 3 wins from 3 truthful far.

Crowned Croatian champions for the 26th clip past word - portion adding the cupful for yet different home treble - Dinamo are present targeting their 10th quality successful the Champions League radical oregon league phase. 

Mario Kovacevic's men started their qualifying travel successful circular two, edging past daze Swiss champions Thun aft other time, earlier easing to a 7-1 aggregate triumph implicit Kauno Zalgiris successful circular three. 

Last week's archetypal limb seemed to beryllium pursuing a akin vein erstwhile they raced into a ascendant two-goal lead, with Beljo and Mateo Lisica some uncovering the people aboriginal on, but Viking rapidly spot back. 

Then, a precocious volley from Mislav Orsic came disconnected the post, struck the backmost of goalkeeper Arild Ostbo and lone ran down for a corner, summing up their luck.

Nonetheless, past suggests Croatia's astir palmy nine tin inactive progress: Dinamo person won each but 3 of their past 24 Champions League qualifying ties.

Viking FK Champions League form:

Viking FK signifier (all competitions):

Dinamo Zagreb Champions League form:

Dinamo Zagreb signifier (all competitions):

Team News

Viking volition inactive beryllium missing Danish defender Anders Baertelsen - who broke a ft successful grooming earlier this period - Martin Ove Roseth and Veton Berisha owed to injury.

Peter Christiansen should pb the hosts' attack, supported by his chap goalscorer successful Zagreb, nine skipper Zlatko Tripic. 

The second - who was calved successful Croatia but represented Norway - has reached treble figures for some goals and assists successful each of the past 3 seasons.

Meanwhile, Dinamo tin telephone upon Beljo to helm their beforehand line, having started the play with six goals crossed each competitions; midfielder Lukas Kacavenda already has 3 successful Champions League qualifying. 

Fran Topic, Luka Stojkovic and Miha Zajc were each fittingness doubts for Saturday's league crippled but lone Stojkovic missed out, arsenic Kovacevic made respective changes.

Ivan Nevistic deputised for suspended goalkeeper Ivan Filipovic successful past week's archetypal leg, past started against Varazdin, truthful it remains to beryllium seen who volition beryllium selected successful Norway.

Viking FK imaginable starting lineup:

Ostbo; Heggheim, Stensness, Falchener, Haugen; Askildsen, Bell, Moi; Tripic, Christiansen, Austbo

Dinamo Zagreb imaginable starting lineup:

Nevistic; Valincic, Dominguez, McKenna, Perez Vinlof; Kacavenda, Misic, Zajc; Lisica, Beljo, Orsic

We say: Viking FK 1-2 Dinamo Zagreb (Dinamo Zagreb triumph 4-3 connected aggregate)

Undefeated this season, Dinamo are an experienced outfit, having played successful the Champions League's inaugural league phase, past reached the Europa League's knockout rounds past term.

The Croatian champions whitethorn person fto Viking disconnected the hook successful Zagreb, but they volition not marque the aforesaid mistake again.

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