Participation in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) seems to have come at the expense of the Premier League for Sunderland, who look to protect their unbeaten European start against a Dinamo Zagreb side who could say the opposite.
Match News and Current Form
Sitting rock bottom of the Premier League after Saturday’s 3-1 defeat away to Coventry, things are looking bleak on the domestic front for Sunderland. But things are much more positive in Europe, where the Black Cats are unbeaten so far this term (W2, D1) following a 1-1 draw away to Lech Poznań on matchday three, contributing to an impressive historical record in major European competition (W5, D1, L1). The Stadium of Light seems like the best place to add to that record given that Régis Le Bris’ men have picked up four of their five competitive wins this season there, one of which came against AZ Alkmaar on matchday one (1-0).
Dinamo’s campaign so far sharply juxtaposes Sunderland’s, as they find themselves in the HNL title race once more, but their UEL campaign has produced a mixed bag of results (W1, D1, L1). It was their latest European venture which produced that sole defeat as they fell 4-2 at home to NEC Nijmegen, and they were on the wrong end of the scoreline at the weekend too as the Croatian side went down 1-0 against Rudes. Winning just one of their last eight away European matches (D4, L3) hardly points towards better fortunes here, but a 0-0 draw away to Hapoel Be'er Sheva in their last such match served as their first clean sheet in 11 continental road trips and at least gives them a solid platform to build upon.
Head-to-Head History
This is a first-ever H2H meeting. The four prior meetings between English and Croatian sides in the UEL are split evenly with two wins apiece, as is Dinamo’s record in their last six matches against English opposition (W3, L3).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Only one of Sunderland’s seven home games this season saw both teams score.
Only Bayer Leverkusen (72) attempted more shots than Sunderland (67) in the opening three UEL rounds.
Dinamo received just three yellow cards in the first three UEL rounds, the joint-second fewest in the competition.
Eight of Dinamo’s last ten competitive away matches produced over 2.5 goals.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Sunderland’s Enzo Le Fée got his third goal of the campaign at the weekend, all three of which came from the penalty spot, including the winner in their last European home game. Niko Galešić could be the man who gives a potential penalty away having committed a team-high eight fouls across the first three league phase rounds.
Concussion protocols mean Nordi Mukiele will miss out for Sunderland, while Dinamo appear to be at full strength.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Sunderland’s form at the minute is such that a punt on Draw/Dinamo in the double chance market could be a risk worth taking.
Author: Chris Wilson