Best odds: 107/100
Bookmaker:
Unfortunately, the initial fixture between AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb had to be postponed due to such a tragic incident. The safety and well-being of fans and participants should always be the top priority in any sporting event.
Now that the match has been rescheduled and is set to take place at Dinamo Zagreb s Maksimir Stadium, both teams will have to refocus and prepare for this important Champions League third qualifying round first-leg encounter.
Dinamo Zagreb
Dinamo Zagreb s recent performance in the Champions League qualifiers indicates that they are in good form, having comfortably defeated Astana with a 6-0 aggregate score. This suggests that they are a strong and well-prepared team, capable of performing at a high level in European competition.
However, their upcoming tie against AEK Athens will be a significant challenge, especially considering the circumstances and the fact that AEK is also a reputable team with European experience.
Dinamo might be favored based on their recent form and success, as they enter the clash on a four-game unbeaten streak in which they won three matches and did not concede a single goal.
Team News
Luka Ivanusec s hat-trick in the previous round s first-leg match highlights his goal-scoring prowess and his importance to Dinamo Zagreb s attack. If he s in good form, starting him in the upcoming match against AEK Athens could be a strategic move to capitalize on his goal-scoring ability.
Igor Biscan is expected to arrange his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation, seeking for them to control possession and attack their opponents to earn an advantage ahead of the second leg.
AEK Athens
AEK Athens current lack of competitive matches leading up to this crucial encounter could potentially impact their performance against Dinamo Zagreb. While they have secured commendable results in their off-season friendlies, competitive matches hold a different level of intensity and pressure. Coach Matias Almeyda will need to ensure that his team is mentally and physically prepared for the challenges of Champions League qualification.
The fact that AEK haven t reached the group stage of the Champions League since the 2018/19 season highlights the difficulty of navigating the qualification rounds that they ve been experiencing since.
Despite the absence of competitive action, the motivation to secure a spot among the final 32 clubs in the competition should serve as a driving force for the Greek side.
It will be interesting to see how Almeyda sets up his team tactically to counter Dinamo s home advantage and make the most of their own strengths.
Team News
Many expect Almeyda to pick a 4-3-1-2 shape for this game and hinder Dinamo s plans for middle-park domination with a numerical superiority in that area.
Upfront, Steven Zuber and Tom van Weert will likely be tasked with attempting to hit the back of the net to give their team a better chance of progressing to the play-off round.
Conclusion
Even if Zuber and Van Weert manage to do some damage, Dinamo are likely to emerge from this clash with a tangible advantage.
Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 107/100
Bookmaker:
