Group H of the Europa League will be back in action this week as Dinamo Zagreb aim to go one step closer to securing their qualification to the knockout phase of the competition.
However, the visitors Genk will have the opportunity to overtake them in the table if they are able to be victorious on Thursday night.
Match preview
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Dinamo Zagreb have had mixed fortunes in the Europa League so far this season, winning half of their games while losing the other two, yet they have still managed to secure a strong position.
They currently sit second in the table and a victory on Thursday would leave them needing only a point to secure a place in the next round during the final group game if Rapid Wien can defeat West Ham United.
Damir Krznar's team were at their best during the previous match in the competition as they defeated Rapid Wien 3-1 with goals from Bruno Petkovic, Komnen Andric and Josip Sutalo.
However, since that victory Dinamo Zagreb have failed to win a game when returning to league football, having been beaten by NK Lokomotiva and then drawing against Osijek.
Yet they will take confidence from the fact they won 3-0 the last time they faced Genk as Petkovic was able to score two penalties while Luka Ivanusec also found the back of the net.
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The defeat for the visiting team on Thursday is one of two occasions where they have lost in the Europa League this season, with the squad having only managed to win one game.
That victory took place on the opening match, which was also the only time that Genk have been able to keep a clean sheet in the competition this season.
Defensively, John van den Brom's side have left a lot to be desired, conceding eight goals so far, more than anybody else in Group H, which has drastically damaged their goal difference.
It is something that could prove vital due to how close the gap is between the teams, but a defeat would end their hopes of qualifying into the next round.
Genk were able to hold the current table-toppers West Ham United to a draw in their last Europa League performance, with Joseph Paintsil getting on the scoresheet before a late Tomas Soucek own goal granted them an important point.
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Team News
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Petkovic has been an attacking threat throughout the competition so far and he is likely to retain his place in the starting XI because of that, playing just behind Andric.
However, the hosts will be missing Arjan Ademi who has been dealing with an ankle injury since October, while the club will be expected to keep their trusted 4-2-3-1 formation for this fixture.
The visitors will likely match up with their opponents in terms of how the team is set out, which will allow Genk to battle them on a one vs. one basis.
Paintsil and Junya Ito will provide the width throughout the game, which could be crucial in causing problems, while they will be attempting to give service to Paul Onuachu, who is expected to lead the line.
Dinamo Zagreb possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Moharrami, Sutalo, Theophile-Catherine, Franjic; Misic, Gojak; Ivansuec, Petkovic, Orsic; Andric
Genk possible starting lineup:
Vandervoordt; Munoz, Sadick, Lucumi, Arteaga; Thorstvedt, Hrosovsky; Ito, Heynen, Paintsil; Onuachu
We say: Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 Genk
A victory for Dinamo Zagreb could prove to be enough to progress if the other result goes their way and that should be enough incentive to get them over the line in this fixture.
Genk have struggled defensively throughout the competition and that is likely going to be a sticking point once again in this particular fixture.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Dinamo Zagreb win with a probability of 53.03%. A win for Genk had a probability of 24.02% and a draw had a probability of 22.9%.
The most likely scoreline for a Dinamo Zagreb win was 2-1 with a probability of 9.77%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-0 (9.27%) and 2-0 (8.46%). The likeliest Genk win was 1-2 (6.19%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (10.7%). The actual scoreline of 1-1 was predicted with a 10.7% likelihood.
