Matchday 6 of the 2024/25 Champions League group stage between Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) and Celtic (Scotland) will take place on December 10 at the Maksimir Stadium. Dinamo Zagreb vs. Celtic: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)
Matches – 13 (International matches, 2023/24–2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 78;
Average yellow cards per match – 6;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 23%.
Predicted lineups for Dinamo Zagreb vs. Celtic
Dinamo Zagreb (4-1-4-1): Daniel Zagorac – Stefan Ristovski, Kevin Theophile-Catherine, Raul Torrente, Ronael Pierre-Gabriel – Maxime Bernauer – Marko Rog, Luka Stojkovic, Martin Baturina, Branko Pavic – Lukas Kacavenda.
Celtic (4-3-3): Kasper Schmeichel – Greg Taylor, Auston Trusty, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston – Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor, Arne Engels – Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn, Kyogo Furuhashi.
Dinamo Zagreb
The Croatians did not capitalize on their home advantage in the last round and lost 0-3 to Borussia. This was only their second defeat in the group stage, but again a heavy one (previously, they lost 2-9 away to Bayern). Before facing Dortmund, Zagreb had a three-match unbeaten run in the Champions League (2 wins and 1 draw). The club is in 23rd place with 7 points.
Midfielder Petar Sucic and defender Takuya Ogihara will miss the match due to injuries.
- The team has not lost in 6 of their last 8 Champions League matches (4 wins and 2 draws).
- At least three goals have been scored in 7 of Dinamo's last 9 games in this tournament.
- The number "2" has appeared in the final score in 7 of the last 10 matches involving the Croatians in this European competition.
Celtic
The Scots have one more point than Zagreb and are in 20th place in the standings. Brendan Rodgers' team has suffered only one defeat, but it was also heavy – a 1-7 loss to Borussia. This defeat occurred in the second round, but since then, the team has not lost. In the previous three matches, Celtic defeated Leipzig (3-1) and drew with Atalanta (0-0) and Brugge (1-1).
Midfielder Odin Thiago Holm will not play due to injury.
- In their last 20 matches in this European competition, the club has won only three times in regular time (7 draws and 10 losses).
- Both teams have scored in 5 of Celtic's last 6 Champions League matches.
- At least three goals have been scored in 7 of Celtic's last 10 games in this tournament.
Dinamo Zagreb vs. Celtic: Match Prediction
In the upcoming match, I believe the hosts will be more motivated, as they will face Arsenal and Milan in the remaining rounds. Dinamo is unlikely to earn points against top clubs, so the Croatians will aim for victory in this match, which requires them to attack and score as many goals as possible.
Celtic is in a slightly better position. In the next Champions League match, they will host Young Boys, where they can earn three points, but at the end of the group stage, the Scots will travel to Aston Villa. It will be challenging to even draw in England. Therefore, the Scots will also try to score in Croatia to at least avoid defeat.
It's worth noting that at least three goals have been scored in Dinamo's last six home Champions League matches. Meanwhile, Celtic has conceded two or more goals in 6 of their last 7 away games in this tournament.
My prediction – Total over 2.5 goals