Dinamo Zagreb vs Benfica Predictions

Dinamo Zagreb overturned a 2-1 deficit to progress through to the last sixteen of the Europa League 4-2 on aggregate against Viktoria Plzen, but now face a much tougher opponent. Benfica won 2-1 away at Galatasaray and it proved enough to win the tie as the pair drew 0-0 in Lisbon, and following their win over arch rivals Porto they now sit top of the Primeira Liga and are full of confidence.

Dinamo Zagreb earned a point away at local rivals Lokomotiva Zagreb on Saturday, but could, and probably should, have won the game. The visitors took the lead in the seventy-second minute through Daniel Olmo, and on the balance of play Dinamo were good for their 1-0 lead after creating more goal scoring opportunities than the hosts. However, with ten minutes left on the clock Uzuni equalised for the hosts and earned Lokomotiva a share of the spoils. Heading into their big game away at Porto there was a feeling in the air that this was Benfica’s time to knock their rivals off the top spot, and that’s just what happened. Despite going behind in the eighteenth minute, a João Félix goal saw Benfica level the scores as the teams went in at the break tied at 1-1. early in the second half Rafa Silva scored what turned out to be the games winning goal for Benfica though the last thirteen minutes were nervous ones after Gabriel was sent-off for his second bookable offence.

The form and performances of both Dinamo Zagreb and Benfica over the last month suggests we will be in for a close and competitive ninety minutes on Thursday, with an excellent chance of both teams scoring and the game producing over 2.5 goals. Both teams have scored or over 2.5 goals have been scored in each of Dinamo Zagreb’s last five matches, while the same can be said about five of Benfica’s last six matches. The hosts and their guests have only failed to score in one of their last six matches, which points towards goals at both ends of the pitch on Thursday. Benfica are the form favourites with five wins and a draw from their last six matches, and after beating Porto and returning to the top of the Primeira Liga table the visitors confidence and self belief is bound to be sky high and they are serious contenders to win both competitions.

Hajrović and Oršić have each scored three times in the Europa League for Dinamo Zagreb this season, while Salvio leads the way in front of goal for Benfica having netted three times in Europe for the Portuguese giants. We’re confident that Both teams will score and over 2.5 goals will be produced in Thursday’s match, and have backed Benfica to claim a narrow 2-1 win. The visitors have the better squad, form in their favour, and history having never lost to Dinamo Zagreb in any of their three previous encounters; and after beating Porto we’re backing Benfica to pick up another 2-1 win on Thursday.