Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia

Slovan Bratislavavs.Dinamo Zagreb

sportsmole.co.uk, 3 November 2024, 21:47
In their fourth Champions League league phase fixture of the season, Slovakian champions Slovan Bratislava are set to host Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb at Stadion Tehelne pole on Tuesday.

The hosts are last in 36th place with no points in the Champions League table and lost 2-0 against Girona in their most recent match in the competition on October 22, while their opponents are in 22nd place with four points after three matchweeks and beat Red Bull Salzburg 2-0 on October 23.

Match preview

Slovan Bratislava have had a disastrous campaign in Europe's premier tournament, losing 5-1 against Celtic on September 18 and 4-0 against Manchester City on October 1.

Belasi were somewhat competitive against Girona, but despite only conceding two big chances, they generated none themselves and mustered just 36% possession.

Tuesday's hosts are currently first in the Slovakian league with 31 points from 12 matches and are one point clear of second-placed Zilina with a game in hand.

Manager Vladimir Weiss's side have won their three most recent games, and while they have lost their three most recent Champions League matches, they did win five and draw three of their last eight fixtures in the competition.

Slovan Bratislava's defeat against Manchester City was just their first loss at home in the Champions League in their last five attempts, having won the prior four games at Stadion Tehelne pole.

Meanwhile, Dinamo Zagreb currently occupy one of the Champions League's 16 round of 16 playoff spots and are one point ahead of giants Bayern Munich.

Tuesday's visitors managed to restrict Pep Lijnders's Salzburg to just one big chance, and though the Austrian side were reduced to 10 men after goalkeeper Alexander Schlager was sent off in the 66th minute, the Blues were ultimately deserving winners.

Boss Nenad Bjelica will be delighted with the win, especially considering his side began their European campaign with a humiliating 9-2 defeat against Bayern on September 17.

Bjelica's team are third in the Croatian top flight with 23 points from 12 matches, though they are just four points from first-placed Hajduk Split.

Dinamo Zagreb have won five, drawn two and lost one of their eight most recent games and have prevailed in four and drawn one of their last five away matches.

Slovan Bratislava Champions League form:

D

D

W

L

L

L

Slovan Bratislava form (all competitions):

Dinamo Zagreb Champions League form:

W

W

L

D

W

Dinamo Zagreb form (all competitions):

D

W

D

W

L

W

Team News

The hosts will be without midfielder Juraj Kucka until the middle of December as a result of a meniscus injury, while forward Robert Mak is not scheduled to return until late November.

Slovan Bratislava could start centre-backs Kenan Bajric, Guram Kashia and Kevin Wimmer in front of goalkeeper Dominik Takac.

Danylo Ignatenko and Kyriakos Savvidis may form a partnership in midfield behind a forward line consisting of Tigran Barseghyan, Marko Tolic and David Strelec.

Dinamo Zagreb will be unable to select striker Bruno Petkovic and goalkeeper Ivan Nevistic for the next few weeks.

Danijel Zagorac may start between the posts, while Sandro Kulenovic is likely to feature up front ahead of attacking midfielder Martin Baturina.

Petar Sucic, Arijan Ademi and Josip Misic are probable candidates to start in a midfield three, with Ademi positioned as the deepest of the trio.

Slovan Bratislava possible starting lineup:

Takac; Bajric, Kashia, Wimmer; Blackman, Ignatenko, Savvidis, Zuberu; Barseghyan, Tolic; Strelec

Dinamo Zagreb possible starting lineup:

Zagorac; Theophile-Catherine, Bernauer, Torrente; Ristovski, Sucic, Ademi, Misic, Ogiwara; Baturina, Kulenovic

We say: Slovan Bratislava 1-2 Dinamo Zagreb

Though Dinamo Zagreb are third in their domestic league, they have proven to be resilient in the Champions League after bouncing back from defeat against Bayern.

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly prepared to step up their pursuit of Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen over the international break. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly included Victor Osimhen on a four-man striker shortlist for the summer transfer window. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town have reportedly been impressed by Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland but could face competition from Sunderland for his signature. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The first international break of the year will see Liberia take on Tunisia at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex this Wednesday in the fifth round of the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The first clash in this international break's double-header sees the Central African Republic face Madagascar at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in neutral Morocco on Wednesday in the fifth round of the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifying series. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly prepared to consider selling Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz as it emerges they have seemingly made contact with Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak. 17 March 2025 talksport.com A Bulgarian first division team held a minute's silence for a former player... only to later discover he's still alive. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Lionel Messi has been omitted from Argentina's squad list for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil. 17 March 2025 talksport.com After some backlash to his claims that he's the greatest player of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo has some support in the opposition dugout. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Reigning European champions Barcelona Women will head to Germany for Wednesday's Women's Champions League clash against Wolfsburg Women. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Just a few days after they face off in the Women's League Cup final, Manchester City Women will lock horns with Chelsea Women in the first leg of the Women's Champions League quarter-finals. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman has left the club, the Premier League side have announced. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany is a "big fan" of Oscar Bobb and is delighted to see the youngster edging closer to a first-team return after being "robbed of a year" due to injury. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool should prioritise Virgil van Dijk's contract renewal over Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, former Reds striker Emile Heskey has told Sports Mole. 17 March 2025 talksport.com The first major question surrounding Thomas Tuchel as England manager has been answered. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is allegedly attracting interest from another Premier League club. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal's Bukayo Saka is reportedly targeting a long-awaited return from a hamstring injury in time for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified another two potential replacements for head coach Ange Postecoglou. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Robbie Fowler is hopeful Trent Alexander-Arnold will remain at Liverpool this summer. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool allegedly have plans to entertain offers for at least one of their regular attacking players during the summer transfer window. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that the performance of Omar Marmoush against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend has sent a "slight warning" to his out-of-form teammate Phil Foden. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Liverpool should be pursuing Newcastle's Alexander Isak, regardless of Mohamed Salah's future at Anfield. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The elusive quadruple that Liverpool fans are still pining for remains out of sight for now, but come the sunshine of May, Arne Slot and his crop will surely be proudly parading their Premier League trophy. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Sergio Ramos' cheeky post on social media proved he is well aware of his reputation for being a red card magnet. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Simon Jordan dubbed Martin Keown a 'clown' during a furious clash over Liverpool and Arsenal's trophy hopes live on talkSPORT. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are likely to at least resolve the contract situations of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in the coming months, Reds expert David Lynch has claimed. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly already decided whether they intend to sign Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho on a permanent basis. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Bruno Fernandes has insisted that Roy Keane's criticism is a source of motivation for the Manchester United captain. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly likely to increase the asking price of Marcus Rashford ahead of the summer transfer window. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Jadon Sancho could still end up back at Manchester United next season as the winger faces criticism over his Chelsea spell.