Dinamo Zagreb Hope to Make Home Advantage Count
We have reached the round of 16 in the 2018/19 UEFA Europa League and every team is beginning to dream about what could happen if they were to progress into the quarter-final.
One of the eight matches to be played on Thursday evening includes an intriguing contest between Dinamo Zagreb and Benfica. The hosts have never won a major European competition and to progress to the quarter-final of the Europa League would be a big achievement.
Benfica have won the European Cup/Champions League twice but that was back in the 1960’s and they would also like a long run in Europe this season.
Dinamo Zagreb come into this match on the back of a 1-1 draw at Lokomotiva Zagreb on the weekend. Despite dropping points, Dinamo Zagreb have a big lead in the 1. HNL and should retain their title with ease this season.
Home form is excellent and trends show Dinamo Zagreb have won eleven and drawn two of their last thirteen home competitive games. You must go back to the Champions League qualifying in August to find the last time they lost at home in all competitions.
Dinamo Zagreb are undefeated in their last seven home Europa League matches, winning five of them including three of the last four. They have scored in six of those seven games but have only managed to keep two clean sheets.
Benfica make the trip to the Croatian capital having picked up a big win over Porto on the weekend. The 2-1 victory saw them move to the top of the Primeira Liga, moving above Porto in the process.
That result means Benfica are undefeated in their last nine games in all competitions. They have won eight of those matches, which included a 2-1 win at Galatasaray in the Europa League round of 32.
Benfica’s Europa League form shows they are undefeated in their last eleven (not including the penalty shootout against Sevilla in 2014) and they have remained unbeaten in their last six away matches in the competition.
The 2-1 win in Turkey against Galatasaray will give them confidence they can pick up victory in this match but it is going to be tough.
Looking ahead to the team news and Dinamo Zagreb will be without Arijan Ademi who is struggling with an abdominal injury. Mario Gavranovic is doubtful but every other player is available for Nenad Bjelica.
Benfica travel without Eduardo Salvio who has muscle injury. They also have doubts over German Conti, Jardel, Ljubomir Fejsa and Tyronne Ebuehi.
Dinamo Zagreb have a good record at home in the Europa League and they should find the back of the net in this game. However, they have not always been able to prevent the opposition from doing the same and we could see a draw, with both teams scoring.
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