Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Dinamo Zagreb will be aiming to retain second position in Group H when they host Rapid Wien to their Stadion Maksimir. The Croatian champions have been having their ups and downs in the Europa League group stages this season, but they are surely capable of beating the Austrian outfit in front of home fans. Considering that head coach Damir Krznar can count on key players: Petkovic, Orsic, and Ivanusec for Thursday’s clash, punters from all four corners of the world can find value in betting on the home team.
Midfielder Josip Misic is banned for the match. Rapid Wien, on the other hand, aim to record yet another win over Dinamo Zagreb. Dietmar Kuhbauer’s troops, though, are not regarded as good travelers, and that is the main reason why we are tempted to put our money on Damir Krznar’s men. All Dibon, Petrovic, Schuster, Strebinger, and Sulzbacher should miss out with injuries for the visiting team.
Highlighted Player (Kévin Théophile-Catherine):
Born in Saint-Brieuc, France, on October 28, 1989, Kevin Theophile-Catherine is a defender who plays for Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb. Theophile-Catherine started his youth career at Rennes and he continued playing for les Rouges et Noirs at senior level.
After scoring two goals in 98 appearances for the club from 2009 to 2013, he moved to Cardiff City in the 2013/2014 season, signing a four-year contract with the Bluebirds. After ending his loan spell with Saint-Etienne, he signed a permanent deal with les Verts in 2015 for a fee of £1.5 million.
The Dinamo Zagreb footballer has one cap with France U21 team, while making four appearances for the U20 team. His main position is centre-back, but he is capable of playing as both right and left back as well. His preferred foot is right and his contract with Dinamo Zagreb should expire on June 30, 2020. Theophile-Catherine made his debut for Dinamo Zagreb in a 2-1 win over Osijek on August 17, 2018.
Highlighted Team (Rapid Vienna):
Rapid Wien are considered the most successful club in the history of Austrian football. In 2008 the capital club won their 32th domestic title and in 1995 they clinched their 15th Austrian Cup trophy. Die Grun-Weissen were founded back in 1898 as Erster Wiener Arbeiter-Fussball-Club and one year later the club was renamed to Sportklub Rapid Wien.
In 1904 the club’s colours were changed to green and white and they have been wearing green and white shirts ever since. In 1985 Rapid made it to the Cup Winners Cup final and it has to be noted that they participated in the final competition in 1996 as well. Famous German footballer Lothar Matthaus was in charge of the team between September 2001 and May 2002, but he failed to record a good result with the Weststadion outfit.
Weststadion has been the home ground of Rapid Wien since 16 July, 2016 and you should bear in mind that the capacity of the stadium is 28 000. Rapid’s fiercest rivals are Austria Wien.