Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Champions League match.
As we approach the final round of the Champions League in 2024, both Dinamo Zagreb and Celtic find themselves teetering on the edge of the top 24, which secures a playoff spot. In their head-to-head encounter, both the Croatian and Scottish sides are likely to push forward in attack, eager to enhance their tournament standings while simultaneously eliminating a direct rival.
Dinamo Zagreb
In the five matches played in the group stage, Dinamo Zagreb have suffered two painful defeats against German giants Bayern Munich (2:9) and Borussia Dortmund (0:3), conceding a total of 12 goals to these powerhouses. Only three teams in the tournament have a weaker defence than Zagreb's, yet the Croatians have scored 10 goals—a top performance in the lower half of the table, matching Celtic and Feyenoord. Against Slaven Belupo (1:1) on Friday, the coaching staff rested the main squad, leaving them ready for battle on Tuesday.
Celtic
Following an embarrassing defeat in Dortmund to Borussia (1:7), Celtic embarked on a remarkable 14-match unbeaten run. Against Club Brugge (1:1) in the fourth round, they created several chances going forward, while allowing an xGA of 1.10. Domestically, Celtic hold a comfortable lead over their chasers (+9 points), having netted 44 times in 15 league games.
Dinamo Zagreb vs Celtic Prediction
In Zagreb, two evenly matched opponents are set to open the round with an exciting clash. We anticipate goals from both sides, as defensive lapses are a common trait for these teams.
