Will the Green-White defeat the Croatian champions again?
The question of the Europa League Group H winner should already be settled after the first three games. The battle for the second ticket to the knockout phase in spring 2022 could not be more exciting, however, as the three remaining teams are tied on three points. In Croatia, the direct duel between Dinamo Zagreb and Rapid Wien is on the agenda on Thursday.
Victory in this match could be of great importance, because if the so far sovereign group favourites West Ham celebrate their fourth victory at KRC Genk in Belgium, the winner of the match at the Maksimir Stadium would push the door wide open towards the knockout phase. Despite losing the first leg, Dinamo Zagreb are relatively clear favourites against Rapid Wien according to current odds.
Due to the known home strength of the Croatians, the assessment as a favourite is certainly justified, but the bet on the red-white-chequered does not seem lucrative at all. The match kicks off on Thursday evening at 9 p.m.
Dinamo Zagreb – Statistics & current form
Last season, Dinamo Zagreb were only defeated in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League by eventual winners Villarreal. Before that, the Croatian top-flight club had been convincing all along the line, making it through the group stage with only one goal conceded and eliminating Tottenham, among others, in the knockout phase. A quarter-final place in the Europa League and a double victory at national level – Dinamo Zagreb enjoyed the most successful season in the club’s history in 2020/21.
Seventh EL participation
Internationally, the Croats failed this season completely surprisingly to Sheriff Tiraspol – an elimination that was at least somewhat put into perspective by the strong performances of the debutant. For the seventh time, the Europa League group stage is the home for Dinamo Zagreb in the autumn. In the first four appearances, Dinamo Zagreb were also eliminated from the Europa League, while in the last two appearances they advanced as unbeaten group winners.
The weaker performances on the international stage compared to last year are only surprising to a certain extent, as the bloodletting in head coach Damir Krznar’s squad was very large. In terms of quality, Dinamo Zagreb are certainly in a weaker class this season, and this is particularly noticeable on the international stage. The absence of captain Arijan Ademi due to an ankle injury has weakened the team even more.
Home with fluctuating performances
The Croatians’ Maksimir Stadium would seat just under 35,000 spectators. In the current times, full stadiums are a rarity anyway, but Dinamo Zagreb has seen relatively few fanatical spectators make their way to the stadium for many years.
The Austrian guests do not have to prepare for a witch’s cauldron. Dinamo Zagreb cannot be described as a home power either. In the domestic championship, there have already been seven home games, but the reigning champions have only won four of them. The role of favourite is certainly justified, but a 1.75 on Dinamo Zagreb against Rapid Wien for the home side is not particularly lucrative.
Predicted line-up of Dinamo Zagreb:
Livakovic – Ristovski, Theophile-Catherine, Lauritsen – Franjic, Misic, Gojak, Ivanusec – Orsic, Menalo, Petkovic
Last matches played by Dinamo Zagreb:
1st League
10/30 2021 – HNK Gorica 0 – 2 Dinamo Zagreb
FA Cup
10/27 2021 – Bijelo Brdo 2 – 3 Dinamo Zagreb
1st League
10/24 2021 – Dinamo Zagreb 1 – 1 NK Istra 1961
Europa League Grp. H
10/21 2021 – Rapid Wien 2 – 1 Dinamo Zagreb
1st League
10/16 2021 – Rijeka 3 – 3 Dinamo Zagreb
Rapid Vienna – Statistics & current form
The Austrian record champions have even a little more experience in the Europa League than Dinamo Zagreb, with this being the ninth appearance in the group stage for the Hütteldorf side. However, the club from the capital has only managed to advance twice so far – and then failed by a wide margin in the first knockout phase on both occasions.
Weak away record on international stage
The home win a fortnight ago could not necessarily have been expected, but it was by no means a surprise that the Green-Whites will be celebrating their first win at home. At home, the Kühbauer eleven is usually much more competitive, but away from home the bare figures are very disappointing. Eleven of the last 15 international away matches in the UEFA Europa League (including the qualifying matches) were lost. In the Europa League group stage, the record is also shockingly weak, with five wins, three draws and 17 defeats in away matches.
Great personnel worries for Green-White
After Rapid Wien finished second to last in the Austrian Bundesliga just a few weeks ago, the Kühbauer eleven has now gone four league games in a row without defeat. However, the Kühbauer eleven conceded the bitter equaliser twice in the final minute.
This vulnerability in the final phase for the Green-Whites is certainly due to the enormous strain (the match in Zagreb will already be the 26th competitive match this season). In addition, Didi Kühbauer has been struggling with personnel problems in recent weeks. Several injured players mean that the team cannot rotate to the usual extent and the strain on the fit players is enormous.
However, fatigue should not play a role internationally and after the first victory a fortnight ago, Rapid Wien could now put themselves in a very good starting position. The recent stronger results should give hope. The offensive play is quite alright, but the defence continues to cause worry lines – the logical consequence of this is again the forecast for an over 2.5 or goals by both teams in Dinamo Zagreb against Rapid Wien.
Predicted line-up of Rapid Wien:
Gartler – Ullmann, Hofmann, Greiml, Stojkovic – Aiwu, Ljubicic – Grüll, Fountas, Arase – Kara
Last matches played by Rapid Wien:
Bundesliga
10/31 2021 – Rapid Wien 3 – 2 LASK
Cup
10/28 2021 – Amstetten 0 – 3 Rapid Wien
Bundesliga
10/24 2021 – Hartberg 1 – 1 Rapid Wien
Europa League Grp. H
10/21 2021 – Rapid Vienna 2 – 1 Dinamo Zagreb
Bundesliga
10/16 2021 – SK Austria Klagenfurt 1 – 1 Rapid Wien
Dinamo Zagreb – Rapid Wien Direct comparison / H2H-balance
The first two duels between the traditional clubs have no relevance for Thursday’s encounter. In the early 70s, Rapid Wien prevailed in the then UEFA Cup thanks to the away goals rule.
In the first leg of the current group stage, the Green-Whites from Vienna also had the better end in their favour. In front of their home crowd, Rapid Wien took the lead twice in an eventful first half and deserved to win 2-1.
Dinamo Zagreb – Rapid Wien Tip
Generally, the motto for both teams is: “No losing!” For the losing team, the knockout phase of the UEFA Europa League will become a distant memory, while the winner could open the door to it very, very wide. Accordingly, the duel will be explosive and therefore a very intense match is expected.
Minimising risk will certainly be the order of the day, but nevertheless the recommended tip for Dinamo Zagreb against Rapid Wien is over 2.5. Both teams are stronger on the offensive and push the offensive game. The defence is the Achilles’ heel on both sides and is always good for a lapse. Three goals, as in the first leg a fortnight ago, are to be expected accordingly. Six units are used for this bet
