Dinamo Zagreb v Rosenborg
Wednesday 21st August 2000hrs
Football – Europe – Champions League
Pick Dinamo Zagreb
Bookmaker BetVictor
Odds: 11/17 (odds taken 20.00 GMT, Tuesday 20 August)
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 57/100 | 3/1 | 89/20 |
* (Betting Odds were taken from 22Bet on August 20, 2019 at 20.00)
Dinamo Zagreb will be looking to make home advantage count in the first leg as they chase a place in the group stage of the Champions League with Norwegian champions Rosenborg trying to end a 12 year exodus from the competition proper.
Champions League Playoff Betting at BetVictor
Dinamo Zagreb Preview – Can Dinamo build on excellent win in the last round and dominate Rosenborg?
Dinamo Zagreb missed out narrowly on reaching the group stages of the Champions League last season – going down 3-2 on aggregate to Young Boys. The biggest disappointment was that the Croats had done very well to escape the away leg 1-1 only to lose 2-1 at home. Playing away in the first leg is often seen as an advantage but Dinamo will be hoping that they can buck that trend. Entering qualification at the second round, it’s been an impressive showing so far. A 5-0 win on aggregate against Georgian champions Saburtalo was achieved with the minimum of fuss.
It looked as though Ferencvaros would be a much more challenging opponent having drawn 1-1 with the Hungarians at home. Heading into that return leg, arguably as underdogs, Dinamo turned in an extremely dominant performance to win 4-0. Only one of the four goals came after their opponents went down to 10 men.
The Croatian champions have dominated domestically in recent years but often found qualifying for the group stages a step too far. Back to back group stages in 2015 and 2016 were their last participation and they will feel a return is overdue.
Rosenborg Preview – Will Norwegians continue to surprise opponents with another big result?
It’s somewhat surprising that Rosenborg have found themselves in the playoff stage this season. The Norwegians, like their opponents, have been extremely successful in their domestic league. They have been less than successful transferring that form on to the European stage. Even less so than Dinamo. Their recent attempts have come to an end in the second and third rounds mainly, qualifying for the Europa League eventually. The last time they reached the group stage was all the way back in 2007. It’s a far cry from their regular participation in the late 90s and early 00s. Rosenborg are indicative of the struggles that teams from the lesser leagues in European football who have struggled in the change to qualifying criteria.
This year’s qualification has been much more impressive, however. It could be argued they have had a slightly easier route than some of the other teams who have played multiple qualifiers so far. Linfield, BATE and Maribor have not been the most testing of opponents but Rosenborg have dispatched them with considerable ease. A 6-2 aggregate win over the Slovenian champions last time out was their most impressive thus far and should stand them in good stead for this challenge.
Key-Facts – Dinamo Zagreb v Rosenborg
- Dinamo have been impressive across both their qualification ties so far, particularly when beating Ferencvaros 4-0 away from home last time out
- Rosenborg are looking to make the group stage for the first time since 2007 and were very good in defeating Maribor 6-2 in the previous qualifying round
- Daniel Olmo is set to leave Dinamo after this tie but will be looking to show his class and help the club to group stage before doing so
Dinamo Zagreb v Rosenborg Betting Advice
