Man City vs Dinamo Zagreb preview, predictions & possible XIs
Two unbeaten Champions League teams square off against each other for the first time in Manchester on Tuesday evening.
Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Manchester City began their latest campaign to win the European Cup by leaving Ukraine with a 3-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
Meanwhile, in the Croatian capital, Dinamo Zagreb ruthlessly brushed newcomers Atalanta aside through registering four unanswered goals.
Read on for Man City v Dinamo Zagreb predictions, preview, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Man City vs Dinamo Zagreb and where can I watch live?
Competition: Champions League
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Date: Tuesday, 01 October 2019
Kick-off: 8:00 PM BST
TV coverage (UK): BT Sport 3
Form guide
Man City (WWWWL)
28 September 2019: Everton 1-3 Man City (Premier League)
24 September 2019: Preston North End 0-3 Man City (Carabao Cup)
21 September 2019: Man City 8-0 Watford (Premier League)
18 September 2019: Shakhtar Donetsk 0-3 Man City (Champions League)
14 September 2019: Norwich City 3-2 Man City (Premier League)
Dinamo Zagreb (WWLWW)
27 September 2019: Lokomotiva Zagreb 0-4 Dinamo Zagreb (1. HNL)
24 September 2019: Karlovac 0-7 Dinamo Zagreb (Croatian Cup)
21 September 2019 Varaždin 1-0 Dinamo Zagreb (1. HNL)
18 September 2019: Dinamo Zagreb 4-0 Atalanta (Champions League)
13 September 2019: Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 Istra 1961 (1. HNL)
Ones to watch
Man City: Kevin De Bruyne
There’s an air of inevitability with Kevin De Bruyne these days. Whenever the mercurial Belgian playmaker takes to the field, something incredibly special is bound to happen.
He’s far and away the Premier League’s undisputed creative force, but that magic is yet to universally wow Europe, though that could soon all change.
His 77 minutes against Shakhtar yielded one assist from three opportunities created, so Dinamo have been warned, especially given how devastating he’s been at home this season.
Key stat: Kevin De Bruyne (29) has created more chances than any other player in the Premier League this season.
Dinamo Zagreb: Daniel Olmo
A former Barcelona academy player, not many eyebrows were raised when Dani Olmo opted to join Dinamo Zagreb, whose own youth set-up is well-renowned.
He’s since been steadily making a name for himself and was linked with a plethora of clubs this summer. However, the Spanish forward opted to remain, in what could be his final season with the Croatian champions.
Capable of playing behind the centre-forward or drifting from out wide Olmo represents a genuine threat one that City will need to keep an eye on.
Key stat: Dani Olmo has been directly involved in nine goals across all competitions this season, scoring five and recording four assists.
Team news
Man City
Guardiola is still not able to call upon Leroy Sane, John Stones and Aymeric Laporte which means Fernandinho will continue playing in central defence against Nicolás Otamendi. Kevin De Bruyne is also a doubt, having missed a training session on Monday.
Sergio Aguero, having started on the bench in their recent win over Everton, has been confirmed to lead City’s line with both Silvas (David and Bernardo) also likely to feature, the latter making up a front-three alongside the aforementioned Aguero and Raheem Sterling.
Benjamin Mendy is expected to start at left-back with João Cancelo starting on the opposite flank though Guardiola has plenty of options in each position.
Predicted XI: Ederson; Cancelo, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Mendy; Rodri, De Bruyne, David Silva; Bernardo Silva, Agüero, Sterling.
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Dinamo Zagreb
Nenad Bjelica is only missing attacking midfielder Lovro Majer from his squad. He shouldn’t make too many changes from the side that humbled Atalanta 4-0 in their opening Champions League game.
Former Cardiff City defender Kévin Théophile-Catherine has been a doubt, but is likely to start in the clash at the Etihad.
Predicted XI: Livaković; Théophile-Catherine, Dilaver, Perić; Stojanovič, Moro, Ademi, Olmo, Leovac; Oršić, Petković.
Squawka prediction
It’s hard to bet against Man City at home. Only Spurs have left with something across their last 20 matches at the Etihad Stadium, with City winning 19 and drawing once.
Dinamo, meanwhile, aren’t the best of travellers in European club competition and given the chasm of quality between the sides it should be another routine evening for Guardiola’s men.
Scoreline prediction: Man City 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb
