Preview: Dinamo Zagreb vs. Red Bull Salzburg - prediction, team news, lineups

However, while the Austrian outfit are currently on course to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages, bottom-placed Dinamo Zagreb can overtake them in the table with victory in front of their own supporters.

Match preview

Having been drawn against the likes of AC Milan and Chelsea, Red Bull Salzburg would have relished the challenges ahead of them, yet remained realistic about their chances of qualification.

Nevertheless, Matthias Jaissle's side have reached the halfway stage of the group with five points from three games and yet to suffer a defeat.

On the back of draws with the two European giants, Salzburg edged out Dinamo Zagreb by a 1-0 scoreline last week, Noah Okafor scoring for the third European game in succession.

That said, Salzburg are not overly reliant on the attacker, with their defensive effort also deserving praise with just two goals being conceded.

Die Roten Bullen are now 16 matches unbeaten in all competitions, while they have opened up a five-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga standings.

From Dinamo Zagreb's perspective, there will be some disappointment that they have failed to build on their opening-matchday success over Chelsea.

However, with his team just two points adrift of first place and two home matches still to play, Ante Cacic will not be too disheartened.

Clean sheets have been few and far between this season, but Dinamo Zagreb have collected 31 points from a possible 33 in Croatia's top flight, scoring 34 goals in the process.

Although that is yet to be transferred to European action, the Blues will always be a threat as long as Mislav Orsic, who has netted both their goals in the group stages, is in the starting lineup.

Dinamo Zagreb Champions League form:

W

L

W

W

L

L

Red Bull Salzburg Champions League form:

D

D

W

Red Bull Salzburg form (all competitions):

L

W

L

D

D

W

Team News

Cacic may be prepared to stick with the Dinamo Zagreb side which pushed Salzburg all the way in last week's fixture.

The home side were not in domestic action at the weekend, giving the Croatian outfit a full six days of recovery for this contest.

Salzburg did not have such luxury, but Jaissle opted to make widespread changes to his team given the importance of the game on Tuesday.

Only two players retained their place in the side for the 3-2 win at Rheindorf Altach, and the majority of the rested players will return with Benjamin Sesko partnering Okafor in the final third.

However, Andreas Ulmer faces missing out due to injury, which could lead to Maximilian Wober deputising at left-back.

Dinamo Zagreb possible starting lineup:

Livakovic; Theophile-Catherine, Peric, Sutalo; Misic; Moharrami, Ademi, Ivanusec, Ljubicic; Orsic, Petkovic

Red Bull Salzburg possible starting lineup:

Kohn; Dedic, Solet, Pavlovic, Wober; Kjaergaard, Seiwald, Capaldo; Sucic; Okafor, Sesko

We say: Dinamo Zagreb 1-2 Red Bull Salzburg

Although Salzburg hold a three-match unbeaten record in this year's competition, they are likely to be tested by their hosts who perform much better on familiar territory. Nevertheless, we are backing the visitors to battle their way to another important result, potentially moving to the brink of qualification.

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