Chelsea v Dinamo Zagreb – Preview, Team News and Predictions
Chelsea return to Champions League action for the sixth and final group stage match of the season, sitting pretty at the top of Group E with 10 points from five games.
They host the only side to inflict defeat on them – Dinamo Zagreb – on November 2nd, at Stamford Bridge, having secured first place and qualification for the knockout stages.
Graham Potter’s nine-match unbeaten start as Chelsea boss was brought to a displeasing end by his former employers Brighton and Hove Albion, who mauled them 4-1. Although he would look to ring in the changes ahead of the rigorous schedule, there’s no doubt Chelsea will aim to restore confidence and finish on a high.
Not only will they want to exact revenge from the Croatian giants, but also continue their remarkable home run in the UCL. The Blues haven’t lost a group stage home fixture since September 2019.
Meanwhile, Zagreb have deflated after their opening day victory over Chelsea. They sit bottom of the group, with four points off five outings.
They have a serious chance of grabbing a Europa League berth, as they are two points behind Red Bull Salzburg. However, history shows that no team except Basel have done the double over Chelsea in the preliminary stages of this competition.
With nothing to lose, Zagreb will come out guns blazing.
Team News
Chelsea
Chelsea have a long injury list that sees N’Golo Kante, Reece James and Wesley Fofana sidelined for a significant amount of time.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is a fresh cause for concern due to a foot injury that saw him taken off at Brighton. Edouard Mendy should replace him in goal and will have a chance to prove his worth to Potter.
The likes of Raheem Sterling, Thiago Silva, Mason Mount and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are most likely to be rested.
Young Carney Chukwuemeka is one to look out for; he’s been a breath of fresh air in midfield whenever called upon. He’s in line for a look in.
Dinamo Zagreb
Josip Sutalo and Bosko Sutalo are presently ruled out, implying Zagreb are short-staffed at the bedrock of defence, much like their opponents.
Besides, the visitors have returning players and will rely on deadly duo Mislav Orsic and Bruno Petkovic to trouble Chelsea’s back line.
Predicted XI
Chelsea (3-4-2-1): Mendy; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Cucurella; Loftus-Cheek, Chukwuemeka, Zakaria, Chilwell; Ziyech, Pulisic; Broja
Dinamo Zagreb (3-5-2): Livakovic; Ristovski, Peric, J. Sutalo; Moharrami, Ademi, Misic, Ivanusec, Ljubicic; Orsic, Petkovic
Prediction
Chelsea will have a host of fresh legs taking the field. Armando Broja will be keen on adding to his first Blues goal, and his pace, strength and finishing abilities could make the difference between the two sides.
Potter’s Chelsea will head into the Arsenal game with a rich vein of confidence, courtesy of a smashing win against Zagreb this time around.
Predicted score: Chelsea 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak