Dinamo Zagreb vs NEC Nijmegen: Can the Dutch side trouble the favourites?

Dinamo Zagreb have kept a clean sheet in both of their matches this season, and their defence is the first thing NEC Nijmegen must solve on Thursday.

Favourites with something to prove

Zagreb sit 14th in the 36-team league phase with four points, while the Dutch side are 27th with one. Both clubs are still early in the campaign, but for the hosts a win would lift them further up a table that remains wide open. For NEC, a poor start has left them with a lot of ground to make up, and a trip to Maksimir offers a chance to change the picture.

Zagreb’s stubborn start

Dinamo’s season has been built on control rather than goals. Their only goal so far came in a 1-0 home win, scored late on, and they followed it with a goalless draw away from home. NEC have also collected a draw and a defeat. Their home draw came with a goal, but on the road they conceded five without scoring, a result that exposed their vulnerability at the back.

Injuries thin out both squads

Zagreb will be without A. Stojakovic, who is sidelined by a foot injury, while five other players, R. Mudrazija, I. Nevistic, N. Nsoki, P. Tabinas and F. Topic, are not in the squad. NEC face a bigger list of absences: E. Mor (groin), B. Nuytinck (ankle) and P. Sandler (injury) are out, I. Hansen-Aaroen and A. Tahaui are not in the squad, and D. Tadic is a doubt because of injury.

Our prediction

Dinamo should have the edge at home, with a defence that has yet to be breached this season and a clear advantage in squad depth. NEC have shown they can score, and their counter-attacking threat could make for a tighter, more open contest than the standings suggest. Still, their away record and their list of absences point to a difficult evening for the visitors.

Dinamo Zagreb 2-1 NEC Nijmegen