Dinamo Zagreb vs Celta Vigo: Match Preview, Predictions, and Lineups

On Thursday evening, Dinamo Zagreb will host Celta Vigo at Stadion Maksimir for their Europa League matchday four clash. Both teams are performing well in their respective leagues, suggesting an exciting contest ahead.

Match Preview

Dinamo Zagreb currently holds the fourth position in the Europa League standings, having started their campaign impressively. They achieved a 3-1 victory against Fenerbahce in their opener and repeated the scoreline against Maccabi Tel Aviv. However, their last outing ended in a 1-1 draw against Malmo, with Cardoso Varela scoring a crucial equalizer in stoppage time.

So far, Dinamo has scored seven goals and conceded three in the tournament. They remain unbeaten, making a win in this match essential for strengthening their chances of progression. Domestically, they sit second in the Croatian league, only one point behind leaders Hajduk Split, accumulating 25 points from 12 matches. The team boasts the league’s strongest attack with 24 goals, yet they have struggled defensively, failing to secure a clean sheet in their last eight competitive matches. Recently, they celebrated a 2-1 victory against Rijeka.

Celta Vigo’s Strong Run

Celta Vigo arrives in Croatia riding a wave of good form, having won four consecutive matches. Their recent successes include La Liga victories over Levante and Osasuna, a Copa del Rey triumph against Puerto de Vega, and a Europa League win over Nice.

This season, Celta has proven to be a difficult opponent, with their last defeat occurring seven matches ago against Elche. They are participating in European competition for the first time since the 2016-17 season after finishing seventh in La Liga last year. Their Europa League journey began with a 2-1 loss to Stuttgart, but the team rebounded with a 3-1 victory against PAOK and a 2-1 win over Nice. Currently, they are positioned ninth in the standings with six goals scored and four conceded after three matches.

Team News

Dinamo Zagreb will be without several key players due to injuries. Head coach Mario Kovacevic will need to manage the squad carefully. Raul Torrente’s cruciate ligament injury keeps him sidelined, while Kevin Théophile-Catherine deals with a muscle issue. Other unavailable players include Moreno Zivkovic, Miha Zajc, and Luka Stojkovic, with the latter two facing fitness challenges. Moris Valincic is also doubtful due to a knock.

Celta Vigo’s roster will miss Javi Rueda due to a thigh injury. Williot Swedberg faces a late fitness test. Furthermore, goalkeeper Ionut Radu’s availability is uncertain following a hand injury during their recent match against Levante. Borja Iglesias, with six goals this season, is expected to lead the attack, supported by Iago Aspas and Bryan Zaragoza. Miguel Roman Gonzalez is also in contention for a starting spot after his recent performance.

Projected Lineups

Predictions

This matchup is expected to be competitive, and while Dinamo Zagreb has enjoyed a solid campaign, Celta Vigo comes with momentum. The visitors’ increased attacking prowess may give them the edge in this crucial fixture.

Final prediction: Dinamo Zagreb 1 – 2 Celta Vigo.