D. Zagreb vs Celtic prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-12-09 17:45.
[p]Now past the halfway point of the inaugural league phase of the UEFA Champions League (UCL), both Dinamo Zagreb and Celtic sit within the all-important top-24 spots. The Croatian side come into matchday five 23rd in the table directly above PSG and Real Madrid, but with only a three-point buffer to 25th, tipping the balance on their H2H record with Celtic (W3, L3) could be key to staying in the play-off spots. [/p]
[p]A five-match winless run across all competitions (D3, L2) would suggest that might be a difficult task, as does just one win across their last seven home games in the UCL proper (D3, L3). But a fixture against a Scottish opponent could be perfect to turn around their fortunes, as Dinamo have won all four of their historical home games against sides from Scotland. [/p]
[p]A 3-0 victory over Hibernian on Saturday means October 1st remains the last time Celtic tasted defeat in any competition (W11, D3). Within that run are three unbeaten UCL games (W1, D2), and the Glasgow giants could make history here, as if they avoid defeat, they’ll go four games unbeaten in the European Cup/UCL for the first time since October 1986![/p]
[p]Doing that in Croatia promises to be a tough test for a Celtic side who have lost on all three of their prior visits to this country, all against Dinamo! Their record in UCL away games in the main draw of the competition isn’t much better either, as Brendan Rodgers’ side have only ever won twice away from home in this competition since 2001 (D5, L34).  [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Lukas KaÄŤavenda is the only Dinamo player to score across their last four games, with his goal at the weekend serving as his first for the club. Daizen Maeda has scored three UCL goals for Celtic this season – the last player to net more for the club in a single European Cup/UCL campaign was Joseph Craig in 1977/1978 (four). [/p]
[p]Hot stat: All five of Dinamo’s league phase games so far saw the designated away side score 2+ goals.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Chris Wilson[/i][/p]