D. Zagreb – Salzburg : Preview & Prediction
First and last in UEFA Champions League (UCL) Group E will meet when Dinamo Zagreb take on Salzburg for the second time in six days after losing the first clash 1-0. Two points behind first, Dinamo coach Ante Čačić is sure to be happy with his side’s European run, although he said he expects them to “learn their lesson” after the defeat in Austria.
After three rounds, the Croatian side have a chance to stay alive and enter the playoffs after finishing last in their last UCL group stage during the 2019/2020 season. The home side has lost only one game out of their last 13 at home in European competition (G8, E4), a record that is strengthened after the huge win against Chelsea on matchday 1.
Salzburg will be a tough opponent. The Group E leaders moved into first place with a win over Zagreb last week, which was also their first win of this UCL campaign. The Red Bulls added another 3-2 win over Rheindorf Altach at the weekend to leave them top of the Austrian Bundesliga after 11 rounds. Their coach, Matthias Jaissle, described the latest win as a “battle”.
After draws with Milan and Chelsea, Salzburg will need to keep fighting if they are to repeat last season’s Round of 16 qualification. Regardless, the Austrian side need to win this game to improve their away records, having won just one of their last 10 UCL away games (E3, P6), and that’s without keeping a clean sheet away from home in the UCL since the 2018/19 season.
Players to watch: Mislav Oršić has scored in three of his last four UCL matches, while Salzburg will rely on Noah Okafor, a striker who has scored in every game in this group stage.
Key stat: Salzburg have conceded more than one goal in just one of their last 13 official matches.
D. Zagreb – Salzburg : Betting Tips
BTS/YES Odds: 2.25
