Preview:Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Dinamo Zagreb - prediction, team news, lineups

Maccabi Tel Aviv will take on Dinamo Zagreb in the second round of the UEFA Europa League at the Bloomfield Stadium on Thursday.

The Israeli outfit drew 0-0 in their opening match of this competition against PAOK, while Dinamo earned a 3-1 victory against Fenerbahce in the previous round.

Match preview

Maccabi Tel Aviv won the Israeli Premier League last season and began their European journey in the UEFA Champions League, but they were unable to advance in Europe's elite competition, resulting in a drop-down to the Europa League qualifying rounds.

After beating Hamrun Spartans 5-2 on aggregate, they faced Dynamo Kyiv, against whom they secured a 3-2 aggregate win in the two legs of the playoff stages.

In the first round, the Yellows earned a 0-0 draw against PAOK, and they will now be looking to pick up a home win against the Croatian outfit.

The Blues have made a solid start in the league, winning five of their opening six games and drawing the other, and they are top of the league with one point ahead of Hapoel Be'er Sheva, who have played a game fewer.

Zarko Lazetic’s team are unbeaten in their last six games across all competitions, but they drew their previous two matches.

Maccabi have a strong record at home, winning all their league matches this season, and they will be hoping to carry their current league form into the European competition in midweek.

After winning the Croatian league for seven consecutive years, Dinamo Zagreb lost the title last season to HNK Rijeka, who edged them out on head-to-head performance, as both teams were tied at 65 points with the same goal difference.

Mario Kovacevic's side are top of the Croatian league with 19 points from eight games, three points ahead of Hajduk Split.

Since their 1-2 defeat against HNK Gorica, they have won three consecutive matches across all competitions, scoring nine goals in the process.

In their previous round, Dinamo earned a convincing 3-1 win against Fenerbahce, where Dion Beljo bagged a brace and Mounsef Bakrar scored in the dying minutes for the home side.

The Blues boast an impressive Europa League record, having lost only two of the last 20 group-stage/league phase games since December 2014, keeping 10 clean sheets.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa League form:

Maccabi Tel Aviv form (all competitions):

D D W W W W

Dinamo Zagreb Europa League form:

Dinamo Zagreb form (all competitions):

W W W L W D

Team News

The hosts have a clean bill of health, and Lazetic is unlikely to make big changes to the squad from recent games.

Summer signing Kristijan Belic has impressed in defensive midfield, and he is expected to start alongside either Ido Shahar or Issouf Sissokho.

In defence, Mohamed Camara has been a pillar, and he is expected to partner with Heitor at the back, although Raz Shlomo remains another option for the Maccabi boss.

In attack, Dor Peretz has scored five goals this season, and the 30-year-old Israeli could lead the line once again. Ion Nicolaescu, Osher Davida and Sagiv Jehezkel remain other attacking options for the home side.

Dinamo Zagreb will still be without Raul Torrente, who is sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury.

Josip Misic suffered a problem in the previous game against Slaven, and the skipper is doubtful for this game. Likewise, attacker Arber Hoxha also picked up an injury in the same game, and Mateo Lisica could replace him if he fails to recover in time.

Sandro Kulenovic got his deserved start in the previous game, and he made the best use of it by scoring his sixth goal of the season.

Maccabi Tel Aviv possible starting lineup:

Mishpati; Asante, Camara, Heitor, Gropper; Sissokho, Belic; Davida, Madmon, Jehezkel; Peretz

Dinamo Zagreb possible starting lineup:

Nevistic; Valincic, McKenna, Theophile-Catherine, Goda; Misic, Ljubicic, Bennacer; Lisica, Bakrar, Kulenovic

We say: Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-1 Dinamo Zagreb

Maccabi have kept two clean sheets away from home in their last two games, and have conceded only three goals in the league so far.

On the other hand, Dinamo have been scoring freely, both home and away, and thereby it promises to be a cracking contest. A draw would be a fair result.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.