Chelsea vs Dinamo Zagreb Predictions

• Dinamo Zagreb have scored in three of their five group games
• Chelsea need to rotate for this weekend but lack options in defence
• The Blues have seen both teams score in their last three games
• Chelsea are unbeaten in 10 home games in this competition, but they’ve drawn four of those

All on Dinamo in final clash

With Chelsea through and guaranteed a first place finish, Graham Potter’s side have little to play for on Wednesday. That didn’t look possible after their 1-0 loss to Dinamo in their opener, which proved to be Thomas Tuchel’s final game.

However, the Blues head into this clash with the opportunity to rotate ahead of a vital weekend clash with Arsenal. The only jeopardy here is if the visitors can claim all three points and give themselves the chance to make the Europa League.

However, Dinamo Zagreb’s last away win in the Champions League dates back to November 1998, so their chances of claiming all three points look slim.

Defensive struggles for Blues

While Chelsea have little to play for, Potter will need to deal with his side’s defensive issues. The Blues were hammered 4-1 by Brighton at the weekend, the third straight game in which they’ve now conceded.

The Blues are lacking in defensive options, with Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly and Reece James out. With a vital clash against Arsenal to come, Potter may get creative with his selections at the back in this clash.

That’s something Dinamo can capitalise on, as they’ve scored in three of their five matches in this group. Two of those have been notched by Mislav Orsic, with one of those the winning goal in this season’s reverse fixture against Chelsea. He looks like the visitors’ biggest threat and he’s great value to bypass the Blues’ switched up defence.

Easy evening for Blues

Chelsea’s rotated forward line should want to impress in this clash, but with little jeopardy I don’t expect a stellar display from the hosts. The Blues haven’t lost a Champions League home game in the group stage since September 2019, but four of the 10 since have finished level.

Given Dinamo’s scoring threat and the Blues’ defensive issues both teams to score is the best bet here. A 1-1 draw is my correct score prediction, with Dinamo out to get a respectable finish to a tough group.