Dinamo Zagreb - Malmo FF

Dinamo Zagreb take on Malmo in the first leg of the teams’ play-off encounter in the Champions League. The game kicks off at 19:45 on Wednesday and will be played at the legendary Maksimir Stadium in Croatia. The hosts are in great form since the start of the new championship and they have also done very well in the Champions League. Malmo are also improving their form but I think that the home advantage will be key here.

Dinamo Zagreb reached this round after getting past Neftci Baku in the Second Qualifying Round without conceding a goal (3:0 on aggregate) and in the previous round they met Finnish champions HJK Helsinki. Two wins (2:1 away and 1:0) secured the Croatian champions a place in the Europa League Group Stage but they will be definitely looking to get to the Champions League. Dinamo are currently sitting in 1st place in the Croatian 1. HNL table after four wins in as many games. They have won all their five home games in different competitions without conceding a goal (13:0) and this makes them favourites on Wednesday.

Malmo are currently 9th in the Swedish Allsvenskan and this means that they will definitely concentrate more on the European Club Competitions and they have now a great chance of getting to the groups of the Champions League. Malmo eased past HB in the Second Qualifying Round but it was a very tight tie when they met Scottish champions Glasgow Rangers and although Malmo won in Scotland 1:0 the return leg was very difficult but the Swedish champions managed to get a draw (1:1). Malmo’s record in the away game of the Champions League qualifying rounds is not that bad (1-2-1) and they will at least hope of an away goal.

However, Maksimir Stadium is a very hard place to go to and I think that the home fans will create an intimidating atmosphere that will be of huge help for Dinamo.