Preview: Dinamo Zagreb vs. FC Krasnodar - prediction, team news, lineups

Dinamo Zagreb hold a slim advantage heading into the second leg of their Europa League last-32 second leg with FC Krasnodar on Thursday evening.

The Croatian champions prevailed 3-2 in last week's reverse fixture in Russia and will be looking to see the job through at Stadion Maksimir.

Match preview

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Zagreb went through the entire group stage unbeaten - one of six sides to do so - and kept their impressive streak in Europe going with a well-earned win at the Krasnodar Stadium.

Bruno Petkovic scored twice for the Blues, either side of Marcus Berg's equaliser, before Viktor Claesson levelled the tie on the night.

However, there was still time for Iyayi Atiemwen to score a third away goal for Zagreb, which could yet prove pivotal come the end of this second leg.

By edging that five-goal thriller, Zoran Mamic's side have now won five Europa League games in a row, and have gone eight games without defeat in this season's competition.

Krasnodar have lost back-to-back matches in UEFA's secondary competition, meanwhile, although those two matches were spread 14 months apart.

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That is because the Russians had been competing in the Champions League in the first half of 2020-21, only to drop out after finishing behind Chelsea and Sevilla in a tough group.

The Bulls would have fancied their chances of advancing to the last 16 of the Europa League, but they have their work cut out after the first leg and are not exactly in great form.

Following last week's loss to Zagreb, Murad Musayev's men then lost 2-1 at home to Sochi in the cup, putting even more pressure on Thursday's contest.

Dinamo have a good record against Russian sides, winning two of their previous three meetings, including victory over CSKA Moscow in this competition two months ago.

Furthermore, Krasnodar are yet to win away from home in the knockout stages of the Europa League, drawing twice and losing three times.

Dinamo Zagreb Europa League form: DWWWWW
Dinamo Zagreb form (all competitions): WLWWWW

FC Krasnodar Europa League form: L
FC Krasnodar form (all competitions): WWWWLL

Team News

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Zagreb midfielder Bartol Franjic was booked in last week's first leg after being brought off the bench and will now serve an automatic one-match suspension.

Mamic has plenty of other options, though, with Sadegh Moharrami the home side's only other confirmed absentee.

Atiemwen will be among those hoping to have done enough to earn a place in the starting lineup after netting the winner last week.

As for the visitors, Russia international striker Ari missed the first leg but may make his return here, having been given minutes against Sochi in the week.

Wanderson is in contention to start after coming on as a half-time substitute in the first leg, with Shapi Suleymanov's place in the side most at risk.

Dinamo Zagreb possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Ristovski, Lauritsen, Theophile-Catherine, Gvardiol; Ivanusec, Jakic, Orsic; Ademi, Majer; Petkovic

FC Krasnodar possible starting lineup:
Gorodov; Smolnikov, Martynovich, Kaio, Chernov; Wanderson, Olsson, Vilhena, Claesson; Cabella, Berg

We say: Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 FC Krasnodar (4-2 on aggregate)

Zagreb did the hard work by grinding out a narrow victory in the away leg and now have to see things through on home soil.

The Blues have performed well in Europe this campaign and we can see them stretching their winning streak on the continent to a sixth game with victory here.