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Today’s secondary featured game is the UEFA European Champions League game in Croatia between Dinamo Zagreb and Malmo FF. This is a huge game for both teams as neither has progressed further than this stage for a long time so I expect quite the tense game here.
For me, Dinamo are deserved favourites here. They’re the better side with better players and more European experience. That’s not to discredit Malmo here – they have good players themselves with Wilton Figueiredo and promising youngster Durmaz and Hamad all showing good attacking power. Youngsters Larsson and Rexhepi have a lot to learn in attack but they’re talented players too. However, I think Malmo may just be out of their depth here. Yes, they did well against Rangers but they also rode their luck against a poor Rangers side. Admittedly, I did think Rangers would beat Malmo but it was not to be.
This is different, however. Bigger and better sides than Malmo have found the Maksimir an intimidating venue and with the hosts selling tickets for around one Euro each, it’s reasonable to expect that there’ll be a full house tonight. Malmo miss a couple of players here, however, the most notable of which is Brazilian regular Ricardinho. Rexhepi is a doubt, which is unsurprising as he’s still recovering from that horrendous challenge that Bougherra bestowed upon him in Malmo’s game with Rangers in Sweden. Aside from that, Malmo are ready to rock and roll here, although I feel they’ll be rolling more than they’re rocking as their attacking threat is somewhat sporadic despite their individual talents.
Despite boasting talented attacking players like Sammir, Dinamo Zagreb have nowadays become a side that specialises more in defence than attack. They keep it tight, play it cautiously, and counter-attack dangerously. They’re a very experienced side and that’s why these tactics work so well – they know when to attack and when to sit back. Rukavina’s return last season has given them a better option up front, in my opinion, and now not all the onus is on Sammir as a result. Dinamo still aren’t a great attacking force though – they much prefer their narrow but solid 1-0 wins in big games and I wouldn’t be surprised to see that scoreline here. Just look at their games in Europe so far this season. They’ve faced Neftchi of Azerbaijan and HJK Helsinki of Finland, neither of which are bad sides, but Dinamo have kept three clean sheets in four games. Dinamo have swept the ball around imperiously in their home games and ultimately taken their chances and I doubt we’ll see those tactics change tonight.
Therefore, instead of the handicap option, I’m going with the home win to nil here at 7/5 as I feel it’s generous, especially given that it would have won in both of their previous two home games in European competition. If you’re a little nervous about Dinamo winning this game (let’s face it – they don’t always perform well on the big stage as favourites) then you can look at Malmo simply not scoring at evens but either way, my call is for a home win for Dinamo Zagreb without them conceding because they’re extremely good in defence and Malmo’s attacking ability is temperamental at best.
Verdict: Dinamo Zagreb to win to nil at 7/5.
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Wednesday’s Picks
Accumulator fodder:
Dinamo Zagreb, Bayern Munich, Liga de Quito, Leicester City, NSI Runavik.
Recommended bets:
No multiples appeal to me today – sorry guys!
As ever, if there are any explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below, although I feel compelled to write that the below are not necessarily my tips but merely my thoughts to prevent endless questions about my thoughts on certain games!
UEFA Champions League:
Wisla Krakow vs APOEL Nicosia (5) 2-1
Maccabi Haifa vs Racing Genk (6) 1-0
Dinamo Zagreb vs Malmo FF (8) 1-0
OB Odense vs Villarreal CF (7) 1-2
Bayern Munich vs FC Zurich (8) over 2.5 goals
Copa Sudamericana:
Liga de Quito vs Yaracuyanos (8) 2-0
Nacional Asuncion vs San Jose (7) 2-0
Argentinian Primera Division:
Colon de Santa Fe vs All Boys (7) 1-0
Belgrano de Cordoba vs Olimpo (5) 2-1
Racing Club Avellaneda vs Godoy Cruz de Mendoza (6) 1-1
English Championship:
Millwall vs Peterborough United (5)
Leicester City vs Bristol City (8)
Cardiff City vs Brighton & Hove Albion (4)
Blackpool vs Derby County (7) under 2.5 goals
Faroese Meistaradeildin:
B68 Toftir vs B71 Sandur (4) 1-2
EB/Streymur vs B36 Torshavn (5) 2-2
HB Torshavn vs IF Fuglafjordur (7) 1-1
07 Vestur Sorvagur vs Vikingur Gotu (7) over 2.5 goals
NSI Runavik vs KI Klaksvik (9) -1.5 handicap
Hungarian Soproni Liga:
Siofok vs Fehervar (7) 0-2
Japanese J-League:
Kashima Antlers vs Cerezo Osaka (4) 1-1
Gamba Osaka vs Nagoya Grampus (6) 2-1
Latvian Virsliga:
FC Jurmala vs FK Ventspils (7) 0-1
Liepajas Metalurgs vs Daugava Daugavpils (6) 1-1
Gulbene 2o05 vs FK Jurmala (5) 2-1
Jelgava vs Skonto Riga (7) 1-2
Lithuanian A Lyga:
Tauras Taurage vs FBK Kaunas (6) 2-1
Banga Gargzdai vs Klaipeda (6) 2-1
Siauliai vs Mazeikiai (6) 1-0
Spanish Super Cup:
Barcelona vs Real Madrid (7) 2-1
Enjoy your free betting tips!