Dinamo Zagreb vs Viking FK – News and Probable Lineups

Dinamo Zagreb and Viking FK are on the brink of advancing to the league phase of the Champions League as they prepare to face each other on Tuesday at Stadion Maksimir in their playoff fixture.

The Croatian side is looking to qualify for the Champions League group stage for the second time in three seasons, while Viking FK, the champions of Norway, are yet to experience the group stage of this prestigious competition.

Match overview

As they aim for a 10th appearance in the Champions League group or league phase, Dinamo took a significant step toward that target last week by registering an impressive 7-1 aggregate win against Kauno Zalgiris.

Following a decisive five-goal win at home in Zagreb, a 2-1 victory in Lithuania secured their progression from the third round, which proved far less dramatic than their encounter in the previous round.

During the second leg against Thun, Mario Kovacevic’s squad found themselves trailing 3-1 on aggregate, yet they mounted a commendable comeback that pushed the tie into extra time, ultimately resulting in a 112th-minute winner from Moris Valincic.

Crowned champions of Croatia for the 26th time in the previous season, achieving another domestic double by securing the cup, Dinamo has kicked off the 2026-27 campaign with an unbeaten record.

After overcoming Slaven in their initial HNL match, they triumphed over Rudes with a scoreline of 4-0 on Friday evening, thanks to a brace from Dion Drena Beljo.

As the most successful club in Croatia, they now seek to advance further in Europe; historical performance suggests they can achieve this, as Dinamo has won 21 of their last 24 Champions League qualifying matches and remains unbeaten at home against Norwegian clubs.

In contrast to Dinamo’s experience, Viking’s history in continental competitions is more limited: this edition marks their first Champions League campaign since 1992, when they faced Barcelona in the initial round.

The Norwegian club has lost all seven of their previous two-legged ties in European competitions and has only reached the group stage once, during the 2005-06 UEFA Cup.

All four subsequent attempts have ended in qualifying rounds, which included a 4-2 aggregate loss to Istanbul Basaksehir in the Conference League a year ago.

Nevertheless, Viking earned the opportunity to compete at this level by upsetting several expectations in the previous season, overtaking Bodo/Glimt to secure the Eliteserien title.

Under the guidance of sporting director Erik Nevland and co-head coaches Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim and Morten Jensen, the Stavanger-based team concluded their season in style, securing seven consecutive victories.

Currently engaged in the 2026 season, they trail behind Bodo by just one point; their recent 2-1 defeat to Rosenborg, a former Champions League regular, was only their third loss across 17 league matches.

Team News

Dinamo’s coach Kovacevic will have to cope without goalkeeper Ivan Filipovic, who is suspended following a red card received last week in Lithuania; consequently, Ivan Nevistic is expected to step in as a replacement.

Beljo has been in excellent form for the start of the new campaign, netting five goals across all competitions and is poised to lead the line once more; providing support to the main striker, Lukas Kacavenda has scored in his last three games.

Although Aleks Stojakovic remains unavailable due to a foot injury, both Matteo Perez Vinlof and Luka Stojkovic returned to the substitutes’ bench in the match against Rudes and should now be fully fit.

On the other hand, Viking will be without Danish defender Anders Baertelsen, who sustained a broken foot during training earlier this month; Veton Berisha is also a doubt for the matchup.

Recently signed on loan from Cardiff City, Jesper Daland is likely to fill in for Baertelsen in the center of defense.

Club captain Zlatko Tripic has consistently achieved double-digit figures for goals and assists over the past three seasons, and recently secured victory over Sarpsborg with a last-minute penalty.

Dinamo Zagreb probable starting XI:

Nevistic; Valincic, Dominguez, McKenna, Goda; Stojkovic, Misic, Zajc; Lisica, Beljo, Orsic

Viking FK probable starting XI:

Ostbo; Bjorshol, Stensness, Daland, Auklend; Askildsen, Kvia-Ekeskog, Alte; Tripic, Christiansen, Austbo

Remaining undefeated this season, Dinamo reached the knockout stages of the Europa League last year and have secured victories in 11 of their last 17 UEFA home fixtures.

In contrast, Viking are newcomers to European competitions and face a tough challenge ahead of the second leg in Stavanger.