Preview: Dinamo Zagreb vs. Ludogorets Razgrad - prediction, team news, lineups

The Croatian champions head into the home match as favourites to progress having won 2-1 in Bulgaria last week.

Match preview

There is little doubt that Dinamo Zagreb were worthy of their victory away to the Bulgarian champions last Tuesday, with Dino Peric's early strike and Sergio Padt's own goal providing the visitors with a two-goal lead inside nine minutes.

Bernard Tekpetey responded in the 22nd minute, but Ante Cacic would have been delighted by his side's defensive resilience to ensure no more goals were conceded as they returned home with a lead to protect ahead of the second leg.

Cacic, who is four months into his second spell at the club having lasted less than a year between December 2011 and November 2012, will be counting on Dinamo Zagreb's greater European experience than their forthcoming opponents.

Indeed, should they hold their nerve in front of what is likely to be a raucous crowd, The Blues can reach the Champions League group stage for the sixth time in 12 seasons.

Ludogorets, meanwhile, survived a late scare against Shamrock Rovers in the previous round to reach this stage.

Ante Simundza's side travelled to Ireland with a three-goal lead from the first-leg, yet only Cauly's injury-time strike settled growing nerves after the Irish champions had reduced the deficit to only one goal.

Simundza, who left Mura in his homeland Slovenia to take up his new role at Ludogorets in January earlier this year, will have been disappointed that his side could not find the equalising goal in front of a home crowd last week having fired back so quickly via Tekpetey's strike.

The Eagles will need much greater quality and courage if they are to turn the tie around in Zagreb on Tuesday.

Dinamo Zagreb Champions League form:

Dinamo Zagreb form (all competitions):

Ludogorets Razgrad Champions League form:

Ludogorets Razgrad form (all competitions):

Team News

Cacic made six changes in Friday's 1-1 league draw away to NK Varazdin, suggesting his priorities lie with the Champions League at this moment in time.

As such, it would be little surprise to see him restore the XI which won 2-1 in Bulgaria last week, meaning a recall for Josip Drmic in attack.

Ludogorets, meanwhile, have been dealt a blow in the form of Cauly's injury, with Dominik Yankov likely to replace the Brazilian as the side's creative fulcrum.

They will also travel without goalkeeper Padt and defensive midfielder Claude Goncalves, with Simon Sluga set to be called upon between the sticks.

Dinamo Zagreb possible starting lineup:

Livakovic; Ristovski, Lauritsen, Peric, Ljubicic; Baturina, Misic, Ademi, Ivanusec; Orsic, Drmic

Ludogorets Razgrad possible starting lineup:

Sluga; Cicinho, Plastun, Verdon, Nedyalkov; Yordanov, Piotrowski, Yankov; Tekpetey, Sotiriou, Rick

We say: Dinamo Zagreb 2-1 Ludogorets Razgrad

With the visitors missing a couple of key players and likely to be forced into chasing the tie at some point, we expect Dinamo Zagreb to progress.

The Croatians have superior quality and experience at this level than their forthcoming opponents, and it would be a surprise if they do not use this to their advantage in front of a home crowd, having already secured an away victory against them.

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