Playful Croats hope for sensation
Since this season, there are three international competitions and there is no longer an away goals rule in the knockout matches. In addition, in the Europa League and Conference League, eight round of 16 teams have already been determined, the eight other teams will be determined this week and next week. Especially in the Europa League, there are some top-class matches on the agenda. In the duel between Sevilla and Dinamo Zagreb, however, there is a lot to be said for the Spaniards.
After all, the Andalusians are a proven specialist in the UEFA Europa League and have already won this competition four times. In 2021/22, however, the Europa League is only a consolation prize, as the Spaniards are a “Champions League relegated team”. The guests from Croatia also started the season in the top flight, but were defeated in the qualifiers. The Croatian serial champions are considered clear underdogs in Andalusia, as the betting odds for a home win for Sevilla against Dinamo Zagreb are 1.40.
The difference in quality is undeniable, however, it must be noted that this clash is the absolute highlight for the Croats, while Sevilla will rotate given their title chance in La Liga. The match kicks off at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium on Thursday at 9pm.
Sevilla – Statistics & current form
In the 1945/46 season, the red and white from Sevilla became Spanish champions. A history that could well repeat itself almost 80 years later. Last season, Lopetegui’s team was already in the title race for a long time, and this season the Andalusians are Real Madrid’s only serious rivals. After 24 of 38 match days, the gap to the royals is only four points.
In the domestic championship, Sevilla are now unbeaten for nine games (6-3-0 record) and last weekend, after three points in a row, they finally managed to score again. With just 16 goals conceded, Sevilla have conceded the fewest in La Liga.
Home strength ensures title chance
The impressive home record must also be mentioned, as there is nothing for the competition at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. In twelve home games, Lopetegui’s team has collected 30 out of a possible 36 points, and Sevilla have only had to settle for a draw three times.
Head coach Julen Lopetegui has played 142 games as Sevilla coach and is currently averaging two points per game with an average of 1.99 points. Sevilla are regarded as a very disciplined team that impresses above all with its collective. The squad width is outstanding and can be rotated without any major loss of quality. The absence of Montiel, Suso and Lamela due to injury can be compensated for without any problems.
Best Europa League team of all time
The current table situation in La Liga ensures that the focus is on the championship. After all, Sevilla have nothing to prove to anyone in the Europa League. The Andalusians can justifiably call themselves the best Europa League team of all time. In 2006 and 2007, they won the previous competition, the UEFA Cup, and since the Europa League was introduced, Sevilla have lifted the pot four times (in six appearances).
Of 23 knockout ties in Europa League history, Sevilla have lost out only twice. The last home defeat in the Europa League against a non-Spanish team dates back to 2011, and despite the expected rotation, the three-way market between Sevilla and Dinamo Zagreb makes a prediction towards the home side absolutely obvious.
Predicted Sevilla line-up:
Dmitrovic – Augustinsson, Diego Carlos, Rekik – Acuna, Fernando, Delaney, Corona – Martial, El Haddadi – Mir
Last matches played by Sevilla:
LaLiga
02/11 2022 – Sevilla 2 – 0 Elche
02/05 2022 – Osasuna Pamplona 0 – 0 Sevilla
01/22 2022 – Sevilla 2 – 2 Celta Vigo
01/19 2022 – Valencia 1 – 1 Sevilla
Copa del Rey
01/16 2022 – Real Betis 2 – 1 Sevilla
Dinamo Zagreb – Statistics & current form
As Croatian serial champions, Dinamo Zagreb have a subscription for Champions League qualification (15 of the last 16 titles were secured by Dinamo Zagreb). This went absolutely disappointingly in the late summer of 2021 and ended with a defeat against Sheriff Tiraspol. Accordingly, the team had to settle for the Europa League. A competition, however, in which the Croatians have a far more realistic chance of success. They made it past the group stage for the third time in a row, last year they were knocked out in the quarter-finals against eventual winners Villarreal.
Seven consecutive competitive match wins
The Croatians are well known for their outstanding youth work and have a lot of quality. One problem with Dinamo Zagreb, however, is the balancing act between playing on the domestic stage and internationally. In the domestic championship, the team is clearly superior to the competition and average performances are often enough to win.
Under neo-coach Zeljko Kopic (who was promoted from youth coach to head coach at the beginning of December), the team lost their debut, but recently they have won seven competitive matches in a row. There is enough self-confidence for the difficult task in Andalusia.
The Croatians should by no means be underestimated, as Jose Mourinho experienced with his Tottenham Hotspurs last year. At White Hart Lane, Dinamo Zagreb managed a sensational 3-0 victory and thus advancement against the house-high favourites. Dinamo Zagreb is a team that looks for playful solutions and always creates opportunities. They scored at least one goal in five of their six group matches and in eleven of their 14 international matches in 2021/22. Due to some changes in the home side, this forecast is a very good option for Sevilla against Dinamo Zagreb with odds of well over 2.00.
Predicted line-up of Dinamo Zagreb:
Livakovic – Theophile-Catherine, Sutalo, Franjic – Bockaj, Ivanusec, Misic, Ademi, Ristovski – Orsic, Andric
Last matches played by Dinamo Zagreb:
1st League
02/12 2022 – Dinamo Zagreb 2 – 1 HNK Gorica
02/06 2022 – NK Istra 1961 1 – 2 Dinamo Zagreb
01/30 2022 – Dinamo Zagreb 2 – 0 Rijeka
Club friendlies
01/23 2022 – Dinamo Zagreb 4 – 3 Sturm Graz
1st league
12/19 2021 – NK Hrvatski Dragovoljac 0 – 2 Dinamo Zagreb
Sevilla – Dinamo Zagreb Direct comparison / H2H record
The two sides faced each other in the UEFA Champions League group stage in the 2016/17 season, when the Andalusians won both games against the Croatian giants by nil scores (1-0 and 4-0).
Not only does Dinamo Zagreb not have good memories of Sevilla, but of Spanish teams in general. The last seven games against Spanish teams have all been lost, and the Croats have also lost all six of their away games in Spain so far.
Sevilla – Dinamo Zagreb Tip
There is no team that has internalised this competition more than Sevilla FC. The Andalusians are almost invincible in the Europa League and are also completely justified as clear favourites against the Croatian serial champions. The odds for Sevilla’s to-qualify against Dinamo Zagreb are just over 1.20, while Thursday’s home win in the first leg is priced at 1.40.
There is no doubt that they will advance, but the game will not be a foregone conclusion. The title chance in La Liga is more than just realistic, so changes are to be expected. In addition, Sevilla were surprisingly vulnerable defensively in the CL group stage. With the Croatians, a team is visiting the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium that wants to play football itself and is looking for playful solutions. The visitors should also have a chance to score and therefore five units are used for the prediction that at least both teams will score in Sevilla vs. Dinamo Zagreb.
