Dinamo Zagreb v West Ham predictions: Hammers face stiff Croatian challenge
Hostile atmosphere could pose problems for Premier League visitors
Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Dinamo Zagreb v West Ham in the Europa League on Thursday.
Where to watch
BT Sport 2, 5.45pm Thursday
Best bet
Under 1.5 West Ham goals
2pts 8-11 BoyleSports & Betfair
Team news
Dinamo Zagreb
First-choice goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic is out along with forward Mario Gavranovic and defender Dino Peric.
West Ham
Summer additions Kurt Zouma, Alphonse Areola, Alex Kral and Nikola Vlasic could all be involved for the Hammers.
Match preview
David Moyes will lead West Ham into the first European group stage in their history this week but there could be an air of caution about the Hammers when they travel to Croatia to face Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League.
The Londoners have started the new Premier League season with two wins and two draws and will rightfully be looking upwards this campaign.
But the Europa League group phase is uncharted territory for this team and there is no need for West Ham to go out all guns blazing when away to arguably the toughest team in their section.
Zagreb made the quarter-finals of this competition last year, having beaten Tottenham in the last 16, and were in the Champions League group stage the season before.
They shipped only once in their six group games against Wolfsberger, Feyenoord and CSKA Moscow last term and are on a run of ten clean sheets in 15 competitive fixtures this season.
Their defensive knowhow coupled with a hostile atmosphere in Croatia makes for somewhat of a baptism of fire for the Hammers and it would be no surprise if the visitors were to settle for a point.
With that in mind and given Moyes may rotate personnel with Manchester United to come at the weekend, do not expect a comfortable performance for West Ham.
The draw represents value at 13-5 but the better bet could be West Ham to score no more than one goal.
Key stat
Dinamo Zagreb have lost only three of their last 12 matches in the Europa League.
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Published on inEuropa League
Last updated
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