Dinamo Zagreb v Chelsea
06 September 1745hrs
Football – Europe – Champions League
Pick Din. Zagreb AH+1.5
Bookmaker bet365
Odds: 1.63 odds taken 0850 GMT, Monday 5th September
Tuesday evening features action from Matchday 1 of this season’s Champions League group stage with Dinamo Zagreb taking on Chelsea at the Stadion Maksimir with the hosts looking to fend off their more illustrious Premier League opponents.
Table of Contents
Dinamo Zagreb Preview – Can Zagreb hold their own?
Croatian hosts, Dinamo Zagreb, have reached the group stage of this season’s Champions League after progressing through the early qualification rounds of the competition where their journey started in mid-July against North Macedonian outfit, Shkupi.
Dinamo Zagreb overcame their Macedonian opponents by a 3-2 margin on aggregate thanks to a 1-0 win away from home in the 2nd leg, which saw the Croatian side progress to the next round where they met Bulgarian side, Ludogorets, securing another win by way of a 6-3 aggregate as they recorded a 2-1 win on the road before registering a decisive 4-2 victory on home soil in the return leg.
Norwegian club, Bodo/Glimt, threatened to de-rail Dinamo Zagreb’s progress at the final hurdle in their play-off tie as the Norwegians registered a 1-0 win in the 1st leg at home but Dinamo Zagreb were not to be denied as they stormed back in the 2nd leg at home, winning 4-1 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate to take their place in the group stage.
Dinamo Zagreb now find themselves in Group E along with favourites, AC Milan, along with Chelsea and Salzburg – the latter likely to be battling it out with Dinamo Zagreb for 3rd place and progression into the Europa League.
Nevertheless, Dinamo Zagreb have lost just twice in their last 14 ties overall in the Champions League, which were both away from home, while also picking up nine wins in the process; in addition, results on home soil have also been encouraging as Zagreb have lost just one of their last 13 home ties at this level as well, so they should be taken seriously here.
Chelsea Preview – Can Blues make positive start?
Chelsea were involved in a highly contentious VAR decision which went the way of Thomas Tuchel’s side against London rivals, West Ham, on the weekend with Chelsea running out 2-1 winners but the result was somewhat flattering and their performance overall was unconvincing to say the least.
It’s been a mixed start to the new Premier League season for Chelsea who have picked up wins against Everton, Leicester City and West Ham but losses against Leeds united and Southampton, both of which were away from home, perhaps underlines their inconsistent streak and possible vulnerability on the road.
Indeed, Chelsea have managed to win just two of their last six games away from home in the English top flight but results on their travels on the European stage have seen Chelsea suffer just one loss out of their last 12 away ties in the Champions League, so the London club will be hoping they can rekindle the sort of form which has brought them nine wins in these last 12 away days, on Tuesday evening.
However, despite Chelsea’s encouraging results on the road at this level, there are still question marks surrounding their consistency.
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Dinamo Zagreb v Chelsea
Key Facts – Dinamo Zagreb v Chelsea Tip
- Dinamo Zagreb have lost just 2 in their last 14 CL ties overall
- Dinamo Zagreb have lost just 1 of their last 13 CL home ties
- Chelsea have lost just 1 out of their last 12 CL away ties
This looks a tough opening game for Dinamo Zagreb but with home advantage and Chelsea’s inconsistent streak, the hosts are capable of perhaps grinding out a draw here or at least keeping the scores close.
The best betting odds for Dinamo Zagreb v Chelsea
Din. Zagreb to win: 7.00 at bet365
Draw: 4.50 at bet365
Chelsea to win: 1.45 at bet365
