Sunderland vs Dinamo Zagreb – News and Probable Lineups

Setting aside their struggle for Premier League survival, Sunderland gears up for a Europa League clash on Thursday evening as they host Dinamo Zagreb at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats currently hold the ninth position in the 36-team League Phase standings, while the Blues sit nine spots below them in 18th place after three matches played.

Match overview

Nearly six months after finishing seventh in the Premier League and ending a 53-year drought for European qualification, Sunderland is now languishing at the bottom of England’s top tier, following a winless streak of seven matches (D2 L5).

A disappointing 3-1 loss away to newly-promoted Coventry City last weekend has left the Black Cats with just five points, marking their lowest tally after nine top-flight matches since the 2016-17 season (two points) when they were relegated.

Despite their current form, reports indicate that head coach Regis Le Bris’s position at Sunderland is secure. The Frenchman is believed to still have the complete backing of the club’s higher-ups, who are optimistic that the 50-year-old will soon turn things around.

In the EFL Cup, Sunderland managed a morale-boosting 3-2 victory over Brentford last week, and they remain undefeated in their Europa League campaign this season, having accrued seven points from their three opening fixtures (W2 D1).

They recorded successive wins against AZ Alkmaar (1-0) and Torreense (2-1), followed by a 1-1 draw with Lech Poznan in Poland a fortnight ago. A return to winning form on Thursday would greatly aid their bid for a top-eight finish, ensuring automatic qualification for the round of 16.

Conversely, Dinamo Zagreb are embroiled in yet another title chase as they aim for a record-extending 27th Croatian top-flight trophy, although their momentum has faltered with two defeats in their last four games.

A surprising 1-0 loss to Rudes last weekend led to the mutual termination of Mario Kovacevic’s contract as head coach, with reserve team boss Jerko Leko assuming caretaker duties for the next two fixtures while the club looks for a replacement.

While Dinamo trails four points behind leaders Hajduk Split, they have had a mixed start to their Europa League campaign, securing one victory, one draw, and one defeat from their opening three matches.

They earned four points from a goalless draw with Hapoel Be’er Sheva and a 1-0 win over Anderlecht, but suffered a 4-2 home defeat to NEC Nijmegen on matchday three, placing them three points adrift of Thursday’s opponents Sunderland in the League Phase standings.

Dinamo arrives at the Stadium of Light with just one win in their last eight European away fixtures (D4 L3), and they have recorded three victories and three losses in their last six encounters with English teams.

Team News

For Sunderland, Daniel Ballard (hamstring), Romaine Mundle (knee), and Habib Diarra (muscle) will not feature due to injuries, while Chemsdine Talbi, Jocelin Ta Bi, Melker Ellborg, Alan Browne, and Aji Alese are unavailable for the Europa League.

Nordi Mukiele missed the defeat to Coventry due to concussion protocols and will need to be assessed ahead of Thursday’s kickoff, while teenager Juan Angulo (knock) is also a concern.

Brian Brobbey extended his contract with the Black Cats on Tuesday, but he could be replaced up front by either Wilson Isidor or Timur Tutierov – who found the net in the draw against Poznan – while Kevin Danso, Dayann Methalie, Thomas Meunier, and Malick Fofana are all in contention for recalls.

As for Dinamo Zagreb, they will likely miss defender Scott McKenna, who has been excluded from the Scotland squad ahead of November’s international break due to a back strain.

The Blues appear to have a full-strength lineup otherwise, with Niko Galesic or Stjepan Radeljic expected to partner Sergi Dominguez at centre-back in McKenna’s absence.

The standout striker Dion Drena Beljo has netted 17 goals in 18 appearances across all competitions this season, at least 13 goals more than any of his teammates. He has scored three of those goals in two Europa League matches and is anticipated to lead the attack once more this week.

Sunderland probable starting XI:

Roofs; Hume, Dance, O’Nien, Methalie; Xhaka, Sadiq; Meunier, Le Fee, Flying; Isidor

Dinamo Zagreb probable starting XI:

Kotarski; Galesic, Dominguez, Radeljic, Vinlof; Misic, Ivanusec, Stojkovic; Almena, Beljo, Hoxha

Both teams come into this fixture desperately seeking a favorable result to boost their respective campaigns, and while Dinamo Zagreb will be aiming for an immediate rebound under their interim manager, they head to the Stadium of Light as the clear underdogs.

Considering that only Bayer Leverkusen (72) have taken more shots than Sunderland’s 67 in their first three Europa League matches, the Black Cats’ greater attacking prowess may guide them to an essential home win.