MX23RW : Thursday, January 30 08:02:57| >> :120:62195:62195:
[monks data]
Dinamo Zagreb
Champions League | Third Qualifying Round | 2nd Leg
Aug 9, 2022 at 7pm UK
Stadion Maksimir
Ludogorets

Dinamo Zagreb
4 - 2
Ludogorets

Drmic (12'), Orsic (27' pen., 44'), Petkovic (87' pen.)
Ristovski (21'), Misic (21'), Peric (66'), Moharrami (70')
FT(HT: 3-1)
Despodov (45+4', 49' pen.)
Yankov (10'), Rick (45+2'), Simundza (67')
Yankov (17'), Rick (72'), Karnicnik (86')

Preview: Dinamo Zagreb vs. Ludogorets Razgrad - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Champions League clash between Dinamo Zagreb and Ludogorets Razgrad, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Dinamo Zagreb take on Ludogorets Razgrad in the third-round of Champions League Qualifying on Tuesday.

The Croatian champions head into the home match as favourites to progress having won 2-1 in Bulgaria last week.


Match preview

Dinamo Zagreb's Mislav Orsic celebrates scoring their first goal on February 24, 2022© Reuters

There is little doubt that Dinamo Zagreb were worthy of their victory away to the Bulgarian champions last Tuesday, with Dino Peric's early strike and Sergio Padt's own goal providing the visitors with a two-goal lead inside nine minutes.

Bernard Tekpetey responded in the 22nd minute, but 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, who is four months into his second spell at the club having lasted less than a year between December 2011 and November 2012, will be counting on Dinamo Zagreb's greater European experience than their forthcoming opponents.

Indeed, should they hold their nerve in front of what is likely to be a raucous crowd, The Blues can reach the Champions League group stage for the sixth time in 12 seasons.

Ludogorets Razgrad coach Stanislav Genchev on November 25, 2021© Reuters

Ludogorets, meanwhile, survived a late scare against Shamrock Rovers in the previous round to reach this stage.

Ante Simundza's side travelled to Ireland with a three-goal lead from the first-leg, yet only Cauly's injury-time strike settled growing nerves after the Irish champions had reduced the deficit to only one goal.

Simundza, who left Mura in his homeland Slovenia to take up his new role at Ludogorets in January earlier this year, will have been disappointed that his side could not find the equalising goal in front of a home crowd last week having fired back so quickly via Tekpetey's strike.

The Eagles will need much greater quality and courage if they are to turn the tie around in Zagreb on Tuesday.

Dinamo Zagreb Champions League form:
  • D
  • W
  • W

Dinamo Zagreb form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • D

Ludogorets Razgrad Champions League form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • L

Ludogorets Razgrad form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • L


Team News

Dinamo Zagreb's Mislav Orsic celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on February 17, 2022© Reuters

Cacic made six changes in Friday's 1-1 league draw away to NK Varazdin, suggesting his priorities lie with the Champions League at this moment in time.

As such, it would be little surprise to see him restore the XI which won 2-1 in Bulgaria last week, meaning a recall for Josip Drmic in attack.

Ludogorets, meanwhile, 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 fulcrum.

They will also travel without goalkeeper Padt and defensive midfielder Claude Goncalves, with Simon Sluga set to be called upon between the sticks.

Dinamo Zagreb possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Ristovski, Lauritsen, Peric, Ljubicic; Baturina, Misic, Ademi, Ivanusec; Orsic, Drmic

Ludogorets Razgrad possible starting lineup:
Sluga; Cicinho, Plastun, Verdon, Nedyalkov; Yordanov, Piotrowski, Yankov; Tekpetey, Sotiriou, Rick


SM words green background

We say: Dinamo Zagreb 2-1 Ludogorets Razgrad

With the visitors missing a couple of key players and likely to be forced into chasing the tie at some point, we expect Dinamo Zagreb to progress.

The Croatians have superior quality and experience at this level than their forthcoming opponents, and it would be a surprise if they do not use this to their advantage in front of a home crowd, having already secured an away victory against them.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


ID:491744:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9150:
Written by
Brett Curtis

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Dinamo Zagreb vs Ludogorets

Dinamo Zagreb
78.4%
Draw
12.5%
Ludogorets Razgrad
9.1%
88
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Ludogorets Razgrad's Kiril Despodov pictured in December 2020
Read Next:
Tuesday's Champions League predictions including Shamrock vs. Ludogorets
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
QLiverpool870121
QInter Milan861119
QBarcelona861119
QArsenal861119
QAtletico860218
QB. Leverkusen851216
QAston Villa851216
QLille851216
9Real Madrid850315
10AC Milan850315
11Atalanta843115
12Dortmund850315
13Bayern850315
14PSV842214
15Benfica841313
16Feyenoord841313
17PSG841313
18Monaco841313
19Brest841313
20Juventus833212
21Celtic833212
22Man City832311
23Sporting Lisbon832311
24Brugge832311
25Dinamo Zagreb832311
26Stuttgart831410
27Shakhtar82157
28Bologna81346
29Red Star82066
30Sturm Graz82066
31Sparta Prague81164
32RB Leipzig81073
33Girona81073
34Salzburg81073
35Slovan Bratislava80080


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!