Dinamo Zagreb will be facing Ludogorets Razgrad in the second leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie on.
The Croatian champions head into the home match on Tuesday as favourites to progress having won 2-1 in Bulgaria last week.
Indeed, Dinamo Zagreb were worthy of their victory away to the Bulgarian champions last Tuesday, with Dino Peric’s early goal and Sergio Padt’s own goal providing the visitors with a two-goal lead inside nine minutes.
Despite Bernard Tekpetey response in the 22nd minute, Ante Cacic would have been delighted by his side’s defensive resilience to ensure no more goals were conceded as they returned home with a lead to protect ahead of the second leg.
Cacic is now four months into his second spell at the club, having lasted less than a year between December 2011 and November 2012, and will be counting on Dinamo Zagreb’s greater European experience than their forthcoming opponents.
Should The Blues hold their nerve in front of what is likely to be a cheerful crowd, then they can reach the Chmapions League group stage for the sixth time in 12 seasons.
On the other hand, Ludogorets survived a late scare against Shamrock Rovers in the previous round to reach this stage.
The Eagles travelled to Ireland with a three-goal lead from the first-leg, it was Cauly’s injury-time goal that settled growing nerves after the Irish champions had reduced the deficit to only one goal.
Ante Simundza, who left Mura for Ludogorets in January earlier this year, will have been disappointed that his men could not find the equalising goal in front of a home crowd last week, having fired back so quickly through Tekpetey’s goal.
Ludogorets Razgrad will need much greater quality and courage if they are to turn the tie around in Zagreb on Tuesday.
Dinamo Zagreb vs Ludogorets Razgrad head to head
They two teams have previously met on just five occasions across all competitions, where they have both claimed two victories while they have drawn once. Dinamo Zagreb have scored seven goals and conceded nine in the process. Their last meeting ended in a 2-1 away win for Dinamo Zagreb.
Ludogorets 1-1 Dinamo Zagreb 18/07/12
Dinamo Zagreb 3-2 Ludogorets 25/07/12
Ludogorets 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb 03/10/13
Dinamo Zagreb 1-2 Ludogorets 12/12/13
Ludogorets 1-2 Dinamo Zagreb 02/08/22
Dinamo Zagreb latest home form
Dinamo Zagreb have recently been on a good run of form at home, and have been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Istra 1961 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 14 goals and conceded six.
Dinamo Zagreb 5-1 Arsenal Tivat 06/07/22
Dinamo Zagreb (P)0-0 Hajduk Split 09/07/22
Dinamo Zagreb 3-2 Lokomotiva Zagreb 15/07/22
Dinamo Zagreb 2-2 Shkupi 19/07/22
Dinamo Zagreb 4-1 Istra 1961 29/07/22
Dinamo Zagreb latest away form
Dinamo Zagreb have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their seven most recent matches. They drew 1-1 with Varazdin in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 11 goals and conceded just three.
Sibenik 0-2 Dinamo Zagreb 15/05/22
Slaven Koprivnica 1-5 Dinamo Zagreb 23/07/22
Shkupi 0-1 Dinamo Zagreb 26/07/22
Ludogorets 1-2 Dinamo Zagreb 02/08/22
Varazdin 1-1 Dinamo Zagreb 05/08/22
Ludogorets Razgrad latest home form
Ludogorets Razgrad lost 2-1 to Dinamo Zagreb in their last home game in the Champions League. However, they have recently been on a good run of form at home, having won each of their previous 10 matches. In their last five matches, they have scored 13 goals and conceded just two.
Ludogorets 2-0 Sutjeska 05/07/22
Ludogorets 2-0 Lokomotiv Plovdiv 15/07/22
Ludogorets 3-0 Shamrock Rovers 19/07/22
Ludogorets 5-0 Spartak Varna 29/07/22
Ludogorets 1-2 Dinamo Zagreb 02/08/22
Ludogorest Razgrad latest away form
Ludogorets Razgrad have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just two of their five most recent matches. They lost 2-1 to Shamrock Rovers in their last away game in the Champions League. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded seven.
Ferencvaros 3-0 Ludogorets 25/06/22
Septemvri Sofia 0-3 Ludogorets 08/07/22
Sutjeska 0-1 Ludogorets 12/07/22
CSKA 1948 Sofia 2-2 Ludogorets 22/07/22
Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Ludogorets 26/07/22
Dinamo Zagreb news
Cacic made six changes in the 1-1 league draw away to NK Varazdin, which suggests his priorities lie with the Champions League at this moment in time.
That said, it would be little surprise to see him retain the same XI which won in Bulgaria last week, with Josip Drmic earning a recall in attack.
Ludogorets Razgrad news
Ludogorets have been dealt a blow in the form of Cauly’s injury, with Dominik Yankov likely to replace the Brazilian as the side’s creative pivot.
They will also make do without the services of goalkeeper Padt and defensive midfielder Claude Goncalves, with Simon Sluga set to be called upon between the sticks.
Prediction and Odds
The visitors will be missing a couple of key players and likely to be forced into chasing the tie at some point, and we expect Dinamo Zagreb to progress.
The hosts have superior quality and expereience at this level than Ludogorets, and they should use their home advantage having already secured an away victory.
Odds: 1 1.89 X 2.10 2 2.26
Probable outcomes
Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 Ludogorets
Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 Ludogorets
Dinamo Zagreb 2-1 Ludogorets
Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 Ludogorets
Dinamo Zagreb 4-1 Ludogorets
