On Thursday West Ham United will face Dinamo Zagreb at Croatia to kick off their Europa League campaign. While hosts were eliminated in the Champions League qualifying rounds the Hammers earned automatic qualification after finishing sixth in the Premier League last season. Here is everything you need to know about Dinamo vs West Ham football prediction, team news, and lineup for the Europa League match of the season.
Team news
Dinamo
Due to injury goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic is doubtful with Danijel Zagorac on standby.
Youngster Josip Sutalo could take the place of new signing Emir Dilaver at the back with Dino Peric out.
Over the weekend Captain Arijan Ademi made a timely comeback from injury on the bench and should be ready to start in the Dinamo engine room.
Wing-backs Bartol Franjic and Stefan Ristovski were absent from the weekend’s victory but are expected to return.
West Ham
After fielding an unchanged starting XI in each of the league’s first four games David Moyes is likely to rotate a fully fit squad.
Nikola Vlasic could make his home debut while new signings Alphonse Areola and Kurt Zouma are expected to arrive.
Michail Antonio would have been rested, but now that he is suspended for the match against Manchester United this weekend, he may well start again.
Dinamo vs West Ham Prediction
For the first time since a memorable comeback victory over Tottenham in the round of 16 last season, Dinamo Zagreb will face English and indeed London opposition.
Moyes will be confident in the squad depth he has built after a productive transfer window and he may reshuffle their deck after looking a little leggy against Southampton last weekend
The hosts will expect to compete in this competition following a shock defeat in Champions League qualifying to Moldovan outfit FC Sheriff, having reached the quarter-finals last year, and will hope that home advantage is sufficient.
We see Thursday’s game finishing level in a result that will be relatively pleasing to both sides in what should undoubtedly be a closely fought encounter. West Ham’s front line should be able to escape with a result despite the fact that Moyes may call on several squad players.
Lineup
Dinamo Zagreb possible starting lineup: Zagorac; Lauritsen, Sutalo, Theopile-Catherine; Ristovski, Ademi, Misic, Franjic; Orsic, Petkovic, Ivanusec
West Ham United possible starting lineup: Areola; Fredericks, Zouma, Ogbonna, Johnson; Kral, Noble; Yarmolenko, Vlasic, Bowen; Antonio
Our Prediction: Dinamo Zagreb 1-1 West Ham United
