Chelsea-Dinamo Zagreb is a match for the sixth day of the Champions League group stage and is played on Wednesday at 21:00: stats, line-ups, predictions, live TV and streaming
Graham Potter probably sees this match as a test to see if his Chelsea side are able to bounce back immediately after the four slaps they took in the face last Saturday in Brighton, against what was until just over a month ago his former team. It was not a happy homecoming, in fact, for the Blues’ current coach, who suffered his first defeat – and what a defeat, a resounding 4-1 – since he took charge of the London club. In fact, some alarm bells had already rung in the second half of October. Chelsea, having ended their long winning streak, had slowed down a little, drawing two in a row against Brentford and Manchester United. The drubbing against the Seagulls complicates the coach’s plans to get back into the Premier League title race, but the championship can be taken care of from next weekend onwards.
Before that, however, they must try to close out a round that Chelsea will finish in first place. First place became arithmetical following their success seven days ago at home to Salzburg, who were beaten 2-1 in Austria. With 90 minutes to go in the group stage, the Blues lead their group with 10 points, three more than AC Milan, with whom they have won both direct clashes. Ergo, even in the event of a home defeat to Dinamo Zagreb, Azpilicueta and his teammates will be seeded in the draw.
The Croatian side, who achieved a historic and unthinkable 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the first leg, causing Thomas Tuchel’s dismissal, arrive in London with a knife between their teeth, as they still have some small hopes of finishing third and relegating to the Europa League. For that to happen, Ante Cacic’s men are obliged to defeat Stamford Bridge. And at the same time hope that AC Milan get the better of Salzburg, who have two more points and won one of the two head-to-heads.
Robert Ljubicic
The Prediction
Only Dinamo Zagreb have anything to lose in this match, and they need to do their utmost to hope for third place and therefore the Europa League. But the feeling is that, despite Potter’s ample turnover, Chelsea will give absolutely nothing away, having to make up for the ugly stumble in Brighton. Blues favourites in a contest of at least two goals overall
Chelsea v Dinamo Zagreb likely line-ups
- CHELSEA (3-4-2-1): Mendy; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Cucurella; Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Chukwuemeka, Chilwell; Ziyech, Pulišić; Broja.
- DINAMO ZAGREB (3-5-2): Livaković; Ristovski, J. Šutalo, Perić; Špikić, Ademi, Mišić, Ivanušec, Ljubičić; Oršić, Petković.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-0
