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Salzburg have no points to their name as it stands whilst Dinamo Zagreb has just one, meaning this encounter serves as a must-win fixture for both clubs.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Wednesday October 23rd 2024: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TNT Sports 9 / US – CBS Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
SALZBURG PREVIEW: PRESSURE BUILDING ON PEP
You could argue that Salzburg head coach Pep Lijnders is fortunate not to have already lost his job when taking into account the start they have made to the 2024-25 campaign both domestically and in Europe. They are trailing in the race for the Austrian Bundesliga title and were thrashed 5-0 recently by Sturm Graz.
In the Champions League, Salzburg have played two in the league phase and lost both. Firstly, they were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Sparta Prague before Brest came to Austria and took Salzburg apart on the counter-attack, winning by four goals to nil.
DINAMO ZAGREB PREVIEW: WORST DEFENSIVE RECORD IN THE COMPETITION
Dinamo Zagreb head into this third round of league phase fixtures as the only team to have conceded a double-figure number of goals, shipping nine against Bayern Munich before throwing away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to Monaco, a huge blow for the Croatian giants, missing out on two precious points.
At least Dinamo have shown that they can score goals themselves, which does bode well for them when taking into account the massive struggles of Salzburg’s backline since the start of the tournament.
SALZBURG TEAM NEWS: HOME SIDE MISSING UP TO FIVE PLAYERS
Salzburg are expected to be without the likes of Diakite and Fernando as well as Japanese midfielder Takumu Kawamura. Illness renders defender Leandro Morgalla a doubt as well with the hosts unlikely to take any chances.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Schlager; Dedic, Piatkowski, Baidoo, Terzic; Bidstrup, Bajcetic, Kjaergaard; Clark, Konate, Gloukh
UNAVAILABLE: Diakite (Injured), Fernando (Injured), Kawamura (Injured), Ratkov (Injured), Yeo (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Morgalla (Illness)
DINAMO ZAGREB TEAM NEWS: STAR STRIKER GIMENEZ STILL MISSING
A decision will need to be made regarding striker Bruno Petkovic’s availability following a late fitness test before this game. The same applies for goalkeeper Ivan Nevestic, who didn’t play at the weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-5-1): Zagorac; Ristovski, Theophile-Catherine, Torrente, Pierre-Gabriel; Stojkovic, Ademi, Misic, Sucic, Pjaca; Petkovic
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Petkovic (Injured), Nevestic (Injured)
KEY STATS
SALZBURG VS DINAMO ZAGREB PREDICTION
Both these two teams have struggled desperately across the league phase so far, especially from a defensive perspective. Together, they have combined for a whopping 18 goals conceded already and with them each badly needing three points here, the goals may well continue to flow. The result itself could go either way, but backing over 3.5 goals scored has to be favoured.
SALZBURG VS DINAMO ZAGREB TIP: OVER 3.5 GOALS