Our prediction for this Champions League match:
Arsenal
Match Time & Date:
22/01/2025
21:00
Prediction: 3-1
Dinamo Zagreb
Emirates Stadium will host a David-vs-Goliath game between Arsenal and Dinamo Zagreb, the two teams that meet for the first time since November 2025. The Gunners aim to cement their spot in top eight and they are seen as hot favourites to beat the Croatian champions in front of home fans. The opposition back-line should have Leandro Trossard at bay as the Belgian winger produced a brilliant display in a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa. Fellow forward Bukayo Saka remains on the sidelines, alongside Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Ben White.
The Blues, meanwhile, are eager to book their place in the knockout stages, but they should not be looking for points in Wednesday’s clash against the Premier League giants. As previously mentioned, David faces Goliath in London and we predict that the visitors are going to return to Croatia with their hands empty. Important Dinamo attacker Bruno Petkovic continues to miss out with injury.
Highlighted Player (Thomas Partey):
After starting his youth career at Odometah, Thomas Partey was spotted by Atletico Madrid scouts in 2011 and he soon joined the Estadio Vicente Calderon outfit. The defensive midfielder, who born in Odumase Krobo, Ghana on 13 June, 1993, played 33 league games for Atletico Madrid B, while making 14 league appearances for the first team.
After ending his loan spells with Mallorca and Almeria, Thomas Partey returned to Atletico Madrid in 2015 and he made his debut for Diego Simeone’s team in a 1-0 win over Espanyol. The Ghanaian footballer played in the 2015/2016 Champions League final against Real Madrid, coming as a substitute in the 116th minute of the game.
Thomas Partey made his Ghana debut in a 2-0 win over Mauritius in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match. His main position is defensive midfield, but the Atletico Madrid man is capable of playing as a central midfielder as well. Partey scored two goals for los Rojiblancos in the 2015/2016 La Liga campaign.
Highlighted Team (Dinamo Zagreb):
Arguably the biggest club in Croatia and one of the most prominent football outfits in the Balkan region, Dinamo Zagreb have won 18 league titles, 11 of which came successively. Dinamo Zagreb have never been relegated to a lower tier of both Croatian and Yugoslav football.
Modri as they are called in Croatia are renowned for their impressive production line of youth footballers. Their highly organised football academy has so far produced world-class players such as Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Marko Pjaca and many others. Dinamo Zagreb play their home matches at the Stadion Maksimir in front of 35,000 people.
The club lacked support during the last couple of seasons due to fans’ disagreement with club management, most notably notorious Zdravko Mamic, who is under investigation for long-lasting corruption, tax evasion and embezzlement. For the first time since 2015, Dinamo Zagreb will have the full support of their most faithful supporters in the Champions League.
Atletico Madrid 
Bayer Leverkusen 
Benfica 
Barcelona
Club Brugge 
Juventus 
Liverpool
Lille 
Feyenoord 
Bayern Munich 
Milan 
Girona 
