The second leg – Part 1

The second legs of the third qualifying round are upon us and no match has darker clouds hanging over it than this one. Heavy rioting by hooligans from different teams resulted in the death of an AEK fan. As a result, the first leg was cancelled.

So now the new “first leg” is in Zagreb. The bookmakers have also changed the signs with the reversal of home advantage. For Dinamo Zagreb against AEK Athens, the betting odds are on a home win.

The duel will be contested by two rather wealthy teams. Both the Croatian and the Greek champions have no financial worries thanks to wealthy patrons in the background. Of course, this is also reflected in the quality of the squad.

Only in terms of size do the Blue and Whites outstrip their guests. Perhaps it is also this large selection that makes many predictions for Dinamo Zagreb against AEK Athens lean towards Zagreb.

The summer was quite satisfactory for both clubs. After the championship, Zagreb also won the Supercup. The newcomers gradually fit into the team and the championship was positive with the exception of the first game.

The majority of the visitors’ squad was kept together, which is probably the best approach for a double winner. Now, however, the first acid test is on the horizon and they are considered the underdogs in the away match. Accordingly, the bookmakers are giving better odds for Dinamo Zagreb to win at home against AEK Athens.

Dinamo Zagreb – Statistics & current form

The capital of the Croats is a nice travel destination. However, this is only true when a trip to the Maksimir Stadium is not on the agenda. That’s where the undisputed dominator Dinamo

has been reigning for years.

A class of their own

This represents Dinamo in many respects. With a market value of just under 112 million, the men from Zagreb are the league’s best. But the 43 players in the squad are also the best value. Only in terms of legionnaires do they rank second with 14.

So there is a huge reservoir. This is exploited every year. Both nationally and internationally, the team has always been able to win. Even if there were often a few shaky performances at the start of the league. The Dinamo system has now established itself.

The coach

If, however, this is not the case, the screws are quickly tightened. This was also the case with the current coach. Igor Biscan inherited the post at Dinamo after Zagreb was eliminated from the national cup. In the league, too, the competition from Gorica, Rijeka and Split had come dangerously close.

In the end, however, the title was clinched again with a ten-point lead. 81 goals were just as top as the 28 conceded. If they perform similarly this year, a goal bet like the one at Bet-at-home could be a good idea. In the games he has been in charge of so far, there have been an impressive ten victories. So the transition has been made seamlessly.

The start

The start of the new season was quite promising. In four test matches, there were two wins and two draws. Points were drawn against Sparta Prague (1:1) and FC Koper (2:2). They were victorious against CSKA 1948 Sofia (3:2) and Dugo Selo (1:0).

With the start of the competition, there was a double against the arch-rivals from Split. They were victorious in the Supercup (1:0). In the league they lost 1:2 at home and in the European Cup they dismantled FC Astana (2:0 and 4:0). Now they are waiting (longer than hoped) for their next opponent. With the fans behind them, Dinamo Zagreb are favourites against AEK Athens.

Predicted line-up of Dinamo Zagreb:
Livakovic – Ljubicic, Sutalo, Ristovski, Moharrami – Misic, Bulat – Ivanussec, Baturina, Spikic – Petkovic

AEK Athens – Statistics & current form

The Vasilissa (the Queen) is enthroned over the Hellenes again. The third double in the club’s history has secured AEK a place in the Champions League qualifiers. Now the first big chunk awaits.

The measure of all things

The Enosi (Union) owe it all to a season as strong as an ox. In the end, the men from Nea Filadelfia became champions with a five-point lead. 69 goals scored were second place (Olympiakos 70) as were 17 conceded (Panathinaikos 16). They won both at home in Agia Sofia and on the road.

In the cup, Olympiakos (3:1 and 1:2) were eliminated on the way to the final. It was in the final, however, that the squad’s dominance was most evident. After a red card for Rota after six minutes, the yellow-blacks still won 2:0. Now all of Nea Filadelfia hopes for another similarly strong season.

Agios Matias

That this is quite realistic is also due to the transfer policy. A different approach was taken than after the 2018 championship, when both the coach (Manuel Jimenez) and pillars of the team were sent away. This time, the coaching contract was extended and the squad strengthened.

That he can do a good job as a tamer in the process was clear in advance, at least in America. 2012 Argentinian champion with River Plate. Clausura, Apertura and also Champions League (for North and Central America as well as the Caribbean) with Guadalajara. The successes were there. Now they are one European chapter richer.

The preparation

Unlike their Croatian counterpart, AEK have not yet played any competitive matches. The league starts in mid-August. Thus, test matches had to simulate the real thing. They started with a very modest 0:1 against Lok Zagreb.

But then the Eagles showed their claws and won against Royal Antwerp (3:0), Shakthar (5:0), Volos (3:0) and Trabzonspor (3:1). That makes 14:1 goals. You can definitely think about a goal bet like the one at Bet365. Tests are just tests, but you could probably have done worse to warm up.

Predicted line-up of AEK Athens:
Stankovic – Rota, Vida, Moukoudi, Hajisafi – Eliason – Szymanski, Jonsson – Pineda – Garcia, Zuber

Dinamo Zagreb – AEK Athens Direct comparison / H2H-balance

This duel has not taken place in the recent past. There are several reasons for this. AEK were champions in 2018 and 2023. In between, however, they sometimes failed to even reach the group stage of the Europa League or Conference League. Dinamo, on the other hand, are regulars there (or in the tier above). So it is a rare commodity to witness these two duel.

Looking ahead to the game at Maksimir, the Croatian series champions are considered favourites. That is why the odds are more in favour of a home win for Dinamo Zagreb against AEK Athens. What also seems interesting is a goal bet. Both teams scored with ease last season.

Dinamo Zagreb – AEK Athens Tip

The transfer summer of the opponents was quite successful in both cases. The squad was kept or strengthened. The coaches are familiar. This makes for an interesting starting position for the match.

Overshadowed by the events of the previous week, however, there is also a shadow over the game. Let’s hope that this time the football will come into its own. If it does, the forecast for Dinamo Zagreb against AEK Athens is a more likely home win.

In any case, match practice speaks in favour of this. Greek football is still on the summer beach until the end of August. The Croatian counterpart has already played three rounds and the Super Cup. The trump cards are clearly on the side of the hosts. AEK’s quality will probably show, but most teams struggle in the first game of the season. Dinamo will take advantage of that.