Chelsea vs. Dinamo Zagreb Match Analysis and Prediction

by Bryce

2 years ago 409

Chelsea, already guaranteed first place in Champions League Group E, finish their section at home to Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday night with kickoff at 11 pm.

This week, Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb hosted Chelsea in the Champions League. Former Swansea City manager Graham Potter has taken to the Champions League like a duck takes to water. Thus, helped his new side clinch a 2-1 win over Red Bull Salzburg last week thanks to two stunners from Mateo Kovacic and Kai Havertz on either side of the break.

Now three points clear of AC Milan at the top of their section and guaranteed a spot in the knockout stages as group winners. Potter will welcome the chance to prioritize next weekend’s Premier League showdown with Arsenal following his miserable return to the Amex Stadium.

While Basel defeated Chelsea twice in the 2013-14 Champions League group stage, Dinamo Zagreb will find it very hard to repeat that feat.

The Croatian team has only collected one point since October 1st, and their hopes of advancing were eradicated last week when they lost 4-0 against Milan in the league.

October has been a nightmare for Dinamo Zagreb; they are winless in six matches, four of which were defeated by a single goal.

Chelsea vs. Dinamo Zagreb Head to Head

Both sides have one game against each other, with the visitors taking the sole win. Here is a look at their previous encounters:

Home

Brighton 4-1 Chelsea
RB Salzburg 1-2 Chelsea
Chelsea 1-1 Man United
Brentford 0-0 Chelsea

Away

Osijek 1-0 Dinamo
Dinamo 0-4 Milan
Hajduk 1-1 Dinamo
Dinamo 3-1 Varazdin

Chelsea Team News

Chelsea is set to be without several key players for the visit of Leicester City in the FA Cup, with coach Maurizio Sarri claiming that Kalidou Koulibaly only has an “outside chance” of making the squad. Edouard Mendy will likely start in place of Kepa Arrizabalaga, who suffered an injury to his foot during the loss to Brighton.

Dinamo Zagreb Team News

Meanwhile, Dinamo Zagreb will be without two of their centre-backs in, Josip Sutalo and Bosko Sutalo. The latter is expected to remain out until the New Year with a fractured fibula. If he misses the trip to London, Dino Peric should be fit enough to deputize for his teammate in the backline.