In the Europa League, meanwhile, the Croatian fairytale is drawing to a close. After an impressive season on the international stage, where among others Spurs from London were eliminated, Dinamo Zagreb will probably have to pull the plug in the quarter-finals. At least that is the assessment of the best betting providers, who clearly favour the yellow submarine from Spain in the second leg.
Villarreal won 1-0 at the Maksimir Stadium, the fortress of the Croatian record champions, less than a week ago and thus set the course for the semi-finals. Dinamo Zagreb now need a minor miracle in the second leg to knock the Spanish representatives out of the competition after all. Villarreal are still unbeaten in the Europa League.
Odds of about 1.50 are currently being offered for a Villarreal home win against Dinamo Zagreb. A prediction on this is obvious, after all, the yellow submarine has won all home games in the Europa League so far this season. In contrast to the first leg, we expect a much more offensive encounter. Dinamo Zagreb will have to take some risks in their offensive play at the latest in the course of the match.
Prediction & Live Odds for Villarreal vs. Dinamo Zagreb 15/04/2021
Although Villarreal suffered a major setback in La Liga last weekend, head coach Unai Emery is confident heading into the Europa League quarter-final second leg. So far, the yellow submarine has won ten of its eleven games on the international stage, with only the away game in Tel Aviv resulting in a draw for Villarreal.
Prior to the defeat to CA Osasuna, Emery’s side had won six in a row across the competition. The visitors from Zagreb will not be underestimated, however, as the Croatian record champions caused a surprise in the second leg of the round of 16.
Dinamo Zagreb have enough potential in their squad to stand up to the Spanish representatives in the second leg as well. Nevertheless, we think the yellow submarine is stronger than the “Modri” and expect Villarreal to win again and continue their strong home series in the Europa League.
Our prediction for Villarreal vs. Dinamo Zagreb is “HT/FT: 1/1” at betting odds of up to 2.21 ✅
Villarreal – Statistics & current form
Villarreal already have one foot in the Europa League semi-finals, but there are long faces at the yellow submarine ahead of the upcoming quarter-final second leg. In La Liga, head coach Unai Emery’s side suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of CA Osasuna, meaning Villarreal missed out on a great chance to move up to fifth in the table.
Nevertheless, the yellow submarine is still in seventh place in the standings and is only one point behind the sixth and final Europa League qualifying spot.
If Villarreal continue their recent run of form, they could well overtake their two league rivals in the final stages of the season and finish among the top five teams in La Liga. Before the defeat against CA Osasuna, they had won six matches in a row.
Still unbeaten in the Europa League
Villarreal have been in fine form on the international stage so far. The yellow submarine has won ten of its eleven games in the Europa League, with only a surprising draw away to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the group stage. In total, the Spanish representatives have scored 26 goals and conceded only six.
The “Modri” from Zagreb already felt how strong the defensive fortress of the Spaniards is in the first leg. For the third time in a row, Villarreal remained without conceding a goal in the Europa League – and that despite the fact that the Croatian record champions challenged the Spanish representative’s defence for 90 minutes.
Compared to last week’s starting eleven, head coach Unai Emery is therefore unlikely to make any major changes. Due to injury, the 49-year-old Spaniard will only have to do without the services of Iborra and Estupinan in the quarter-final second leg. If Villarreal beat Dinamo Zagreb again, odds in the region of 1.50 will be paid for tip 1.
Villarreal’s likely line-up:
Rulli; Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Pedraza; Parejo, Capoue, Trigueros; Chukwueze, Gerard, Bacca.
Dinamo Zagreb – Statistics & current form
Although the Croatian record champions do not exactly have the best starting position in the quarter-final second leg of the Europa League, the “Modri” from Zagreb should by no means be underestimated. Dinamo Zagreb already caused a huge sensation in the round of 16 against Spurs from London, after all, they managed to make a comeback in the second leg despite losing the first leg 0:2.
“Without a doubt, Mislav Orsic was the Man of the Match. With his two goals, the Modri winger not only led his team into extra time, but also scored the decisive goal to advance to the quarter-finals. In any case, Orsic is currently one of the most goal-threatening players in the Dinamo Zagreb ranks.
The 29-year-old already has 19 goals and eight assists to his name across all competitions. The Modri attacking star, who has also been linked with the Gunners in London, may well score in the second leg against Villarreal.
All or nothing for Dinamo
Last weekend, Damir Krznar’s side, who took over as head coach following Zoran Mamic’s prison sentence, warmed up for the second leg of the Europa League with a derby win over Lokomotiva. This also allowed the Croatian record champions to extend their lead in the 1st HNL.
Against their Spanish quarter-final opponents, who are strong at home, Dinamo are now aiming for their second away win in a row. In the Europa League, Krznar’s side have won three of their five away games so far, with the only away defeat coming in the away game in London, where the “Modri” lost to Spurs.
Last weekend, Damit Krznar had spared some key players for the derby against Lokomotiva, the bottom team of the 1st HNL. On Thursday evening, the “Modri” manager will be able to draw from a full squad, only Moharrami will have to take a break due to injury.
Predicted line-up of Dinamo Zagreb:
Livakovic; Ristovski, Lauritsen, Theophile-Catherine, Gvardiol; Majer, Ademi, Jakic; Ivanusec, Petkovic, Orsic