Will Salzburg remain unbeaten at the Maksimir Stadium?
Half of the group stage of the UEFA Champions League 2022/23 season has been completed. In some groups there are already signs of a (preliminary) decision, in some groups there is still no tendency to be seen. Such a group is Group E with the participation of the Austrian champions from the city of Mozart. On the fourth matchday, Dinamo Zagreb and Red Bull Salzburg will face each other in the Croatian capital.
With Chelsea and AC Milan being the two most formidable opponents in the group, it could be assumed after the draw that the battle for third place – and thus survival in the Europa League – would be played out in this clash. This is still possible, but both teams still have a chance of reaching the last 16 of the top flight. Salzburg currently lead the table with five points, while Dinamo Zagreb are bottom of the table but also have three points to their name.
In the clash between Dinamo Zagreb and Red Bull Salzburg, the current betting odds see the Austrian visitors as slight favourites. Salzburg have the advantage of the first leg victory in their pocket and furthermore a win is mandatory for Dinamo Zagreb to move past the Bulls.
Dinamo Zagreb – Statistics & current form
The importance of the two games against Red Bull Salzburg for the Croatians is shown by the fact alone that the Croatian federation granted the serial champions a match-free weekend. The best possible preparation is to be ensured and therefore the away game at NK Istra was postponed. The full focus is on the bulls to lay the foundation for the international winter. Despite the surprising three points in the opener against Chelsea, another defeat against the Bulls could almost mean early elimination.
Orsic to fix it
If the Croatian top club manage to get the victory they were hoping for on Tuesday evening, it would be a first. Never before has Dinamo Zagreb won two home games in a row in an international competition (without qualification). Whoever beats the Blues will certainly have a chance against Salzburg. Even though the Maksimir Stadium is never sold out, the “Bad Blue Boys” always provide breathtaking support. The young Bullen team must therefore be prepared for a witch’s cauldron.
Visibly comfortable in this witch’s cauldron is 29-year-old Mislav Orsic. The Croatian international was not particularly happy abroad, but since his move to Dinamo Zagreb in the summer of 2018, he has taken an outstanding development. Especially in international home games, the winger is convincing with twelve goals in 19 games. The Bullen definitely have to watch out for him.
In the home game against the Blues, there was only one goal to see, otherwise goals are guaranteed at the Maksimir Stadium. In the six league home games so far there have been 31 goals (goal difference 23:8). All six games ended with a score of over 2.5 – this tip is also quite obvious on Tuesday in the top flight between Dinamo Zagreb and Red Bull Salzburg. The Croatians have to play to win and will be much more offensive than last week in Wals-Siezenheim.
Predicted line-up of Dinamo Zagreb:
Livakovic – Sutalo, Peric, Theophile-Catherine – Misic – Ljubicic, Ivanusec, Ademi, Moharrami – Orsic, Petkovic
Last matches played by Dinamo Zagreb:
Champions League Grp. E
05/10/2022 – RB Salzburg 1 – 0 Dinamo Zagreb
1st League
02/10/2022 – Dinamo Zagreb 4 – 1 Slaven
18/09/2022 – NK Lokomotiva 1 – 2 Dinamo Zagreb
Champions League Grp. E
14/09/2022 – AC Milan 3 – 1 Dinamo Zagreb
1st League
11/09/2022 – HNK Gorica 0 – 1 Dinamo Zagreb
Red Bull Salzburg – Statistics & current form
Bulls’ officials spoke of a “dirty win” last Wednesday. In the end, however, football is a result sport and the “how” is no longer asked. In the difficult Group E, Salzburg actually managed to get through the first half of the group phase without defeat. The reward for this is the current lead in the standings and the associated great opportunity to reach the last 16 of the top division again.
In the home victory against the Croatian top club, the Swiss Noah Okafor once again proved to be “Mr. Champions League”. The attacker has not only scored all three CL goals for the Bullen this season, but has now scored six of the last nine goals. With Stephane Chapuisat (7) and the now Basel coach Alexander Frei (8), there are only two Swiss who have scored more often in the top flight.
No goals scored away from home
In contrast to the Croats, Salzburg were in action at the weekend and managed to get back on the winning track after two home draws. The 3:2 away win at Cashpoint SCR Altach (Miroslav Klose’s team) could be classified as a “work victory” in the end. In view of the large-scale rotation, it is difficult to draw conclusions about the Zagreb game, but the bottom line is that it was once again evident that Salzburg currently have some problems on the defensive side.
This is even more evident internationally. In RB history, Salzburg have now played 14 away games in the Champions League. Never before has a RB keeper been able to enjoy a “to nil” away from home. In these 14 games, 30 goals have been conceded, which means an average of more than two goals per game. Due to the offensive strength of the Bulls, a prediction of goals between Dinamo Zagreb and Red Bull Salzburg is quite possible.
Predicted line-up of Red Bull Salzburg:
Köhn – Ulmer, Pavlovic, Solet, Dedic – Capaldo, Seiwald, Kjaergaard – Sucic – Sesko, Okafor
Last matches played by Red Bull Salzburg:
Bundesliga
08/10/2022 – Altach 2 – 3 RB Salzburg
Champions League Grp. E
05/10/2022 – RB Salzburg 1 – 0 Dinamo Zagreb
Bundesliga
01/10/2022 – RB Salzburg 1 – 1 LASK
18/09/2022 – RB Salzburg 1 – 1 Rapid Wien
Champions League Grp. E
15/09/2022 – FC Chelsea 1 – 1 RB Salzburg
Dinamo Zagreb – Red Bull Salzburg Direct comparison / H2H-balance
The two clubs have crossed blades with nice regularity in recent years. Tuesday night’s match will be the eighth meeting in which the direct comparison is currently clearly in favour of the Austrian champions, as Dinamo Zagreb have won only one of their seven previous matches.
Last Wednesday’s narrow 1-0 victory, courtesy of a penalty goal from Swiss international Noah Okafor, was already the fourth success for the Bullen from the city of Mozart. Not only this speaks for Salzburg, but also the fact that the Bullen have not lost any of their three games at Dinamo Zagreb’s Maksimir Stadium so far (two wins, one draw).
Dinamo Zagreb – Red Bull Salzburg Tip
For the Austrian serial champions, the away match at the Maksimir Stadium is almost a small match point. Should the victory from last week be repeated, the Bullen can also plan for international football in the spring of 2023. In the “champions’ duel” between Dinamo Zagreb and Red Bull Salzburg, odds of 2.55 are offered for the visitors.
Salzburg certainly have more individual quality in their own ranks and accordingly a bet on a win for the bulls has quite some charm. Even more interesting in the duel Dinamo Zagreb vs Red Bull Salzburg is the forecast at good odds on the over 2.5. Salzburg has big problems away from home and has never played to zero in CL history. If the Salzburg victory still seems interesting, at least three goals are necessary. Since the Croats have to play to win themselves, there should be enough scoring chances for three goals. Six units are selected as the stake.
