Maccabi Tel Aviv — Dinamo Zagreb : Match Preview and Prediction for October 02,2025

Maccabi’s Europa League Opener

Maccabi managed to secure an away draw against PAOK (0-0) in their initial Europa League match. However, it wouldn’t be accurate to say the Israeli side lacked opportunities for victory. They generated an xG of 1.56, while the Greek team had 1.44. Additionally, Dor Peretz’s goal was disallowed in the 35th minute after a VAR review. Thus, the single point earned was, at the very least, well-deserved.

Domestic League Strategy and Recent Form

The home team implemented a minor squad rotation in their latest Israeli championship game, subtly prioritizing the Europa League fixture. This approach contributed to their 0-0 draw against Bnei Sakhnin. Nevertheless, this result is not a major concern, as Zarko Lazetic’s squad has collected 13 out of a possible 15 points, securing second place in the league standings.

Offensive Power and Defensive Balance

Despite two recent goalless draws, Maccabi Tel Aviv exhibits no issues in attack, having already scored 26 goals this season, which averages out to 1.85 goals per game. They also concede relatively few goals, with an average of 0.71 per match, showcasing a well-balanced approach between defense and offense.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Squad Availability

The Israeli coach has nearly his entire core squad at his disposal, with only the injured Ion Nicolaescu unavailable.

Dinamo’s Explosive Start Across All Competitions

Dinamo Zagreb has made an explosive start across all tournaments. In the national cup, they comfortably defeated Dinamo Predovac (6-0) in the Round of 32. In the Croatian championship, they have remarkably accumulated 19 points from a possible 24. Their only defeat occurred in a match against Gorica (1-2), a game characterized by extreme misfortune and a red card. Despite this setback, the visitors currently lead the league table, holding a three-point advantage over Hajduk.

Impressive Europa League Debut

Regarding the Europa League itself, the Croats delivered a pleasant surprise, handily dispatching a formidable and star-studded Fenerbahçe side (3-1) on their home ground. The Turkish team appeared utterly outmatched, managing to generate only 0.17 xG over 90 minutes! Yet, they still managed to score. Meanwhile, Dinamo efficiently converted all their opportunities, deservedly securing three points.

Potent Attack and Stellar Defense

The visitors’ fiery form is evident not only in their results but also in their potent attacking prowess. They have netted 29 goals in ten matches, averaging an impressive 2.9 goals per game. Their defense is equally formidable, conceding a mere average of 0.5 goals per match.

Dinamo Zagreb’s Full Strength Squad

Mario Kovacevic’s squad is in superb condition concerning player availability, as there are currently no injured or suspended players. His team benefits from a full-strength roster for this crucial encounter.