Preview: Rapid Vienna vs. Dinamo Zagreb - prediction, team news, lineups

Dinamo Zagreb shall be attempting to extend their six-game winning streak on Thursday when they travel to face Rapid Vienna in the Europa League.

The hosts currently sit bottom of Group H, having failed to win a match or score a goal in the opening two fixtures.

Match preview

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Rapid Vienna have had a difficult time in the Europa League so far, suffering a 1-0 defeat against Genk on the opening day and then a 2-0 loss at the hands of West Ham United.

The two results sank the club to the bottom of the group, but they responded well to the loss against the Hammers when returning to league action.

Dietmar Kuhbauer's squad have gone consecutive games without a loss now in the Austrian Bundesliga, showcasing their attacking qualities when they beat WSG Swarovski Tirol 5-2.

Vienna's most recent outing ended in a 1-1 draw as they faced Austria Klagenfurt, with an 87th-minute goal seeing their opponents draw level, cancelling out Taxiarchis Fountas's earlier strike.

However, they must now push that recent form into their European campaign if they want to remain in the mix to progress past the group stage, which is something they failed to do last season.

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Dinamo Zagreb will also be hoping to keep the pressure on West Ham, as they currently trail the Premier League club by three points.

The Hammers defeated them on the opening game of Group H, but Damir Krznar's squad responded well when they travelled to face Genk, beating them 3-0.

A brace from Bruno Petkovic and a goal by Luka Ivanusec were enough to gain their team three points, and that fixture came amid a fantastic run for the club.

Since being beaten by West Ham, Dinamo Zagreb have not lost a game, putting together a spell of six matches without a loss, a period in which they have been in prolific form in front of goal.

They have managed to score 29 goals across those fixtures, showcasing just how lethal they can be, which is something that Krznar will be hoping to see from his team on Thursday night.

Team News

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Rapid Vienna have been without their number one goalkeeper as of late, with Richard Strebinger dealing with a shoulder problem which has led to opportunities for Paul Gartler to step in.

After another positive performance at the weekend, there is a chance that Kuhbauer will look to stick with the same starting XI on Thursday.

Dinamo Zagreb are sure to rely on Petkovic in terms of scoring goals, as he has been enjoying a purple patch of form lately, which the attacker will no doubt wish to continue in midweek.

However, the club could be without Dino Peric, with the defender currently dealing with an injury problem that has kept him out of action for several weeks.

Krznar should have a sharp team in terms of fitness, though, as he put together two friendlies during the recent international break in order to keep his squad ready.

Rapid Vienna possible starting lineup:
Gartler; Ullmann, Hofmann, Greiml, Stojkovic; Petrovic, Ljubicic; Grull, Fountas, Ballo; Kara

Dinamo Zagreb possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Ristovski, Leovac, Theophile-Catherine, Lauritsen; Orsic, Franjic, Misic, Ivanusec; Petkovic; Cop

We say: Rapid Vienna 0-4 Dinamo Zagreb

These two teams are in contrasting form at the moment and that is something that will likely dictate the way this game goes, with the visitors likely to dominate.

The attacking prowess of Dinamo Zagreb has been clear to see in recent matches and they should have too much fire power for Rapid Vienna to handle.

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