Dinamo Zagreb and Viking are just one tie away from the Champions League league phase as they meet at Stadion Maksimir on Tuesday evening.

The Croatian champions have already survived one major scare during qualifying before cruising through the third round, while Viking are attempting to reach the main stage of Europe’s leading club competition for the first time. Dinamo’s considerable European experience and formidable qualifying record make them favourites in Zagreb, but the Norwegian champions have shown over the past two seasons that they should not be underestimated.

Dinamo Zagreb continue push for Champions League return

Dinamo are targeting their 10th appearance in the Champions League group or league phase and arrive at the playoff round after an emphatic 7-1 aggregate victory over Kauno Žalgiris.

Mario Kovačević’s side effectively settled that tie with a five-goal victory in Zagreb before completing the job with a 2-1 win in Lithuania. Their progress was considerably more comfortable than in the previous round, when Dinamo found themselves 3-1 down on aggregate against Thun before recovering to force extra time and eventually advancing through Moris Valinčić’s 112th-minute winner.

Those performances have been accompanied by a strong start domestically. After winning their 26th Croatian league title and completing another domestic double last season, Dinamo have begun the new campaign unbeaten and followed their opening-day victory over Slaven with a 4-0 win against Rudeš on Friday.

Dion Drena Beljo scored twice in that victory and has already registered five goals in all competitions this season, making the striker one of Dinamo’s main threats on Tuesday. Lukas Kačavenda has also made an impressive start, finding the net in each of his last three appearances.

There is also a significant historical advantage in Dinamo’s favour. The Croatian giants have lost only three of their last 24 Champions League qualifying ties and remain unbeaten at home against Norwegian opposition, while they have won the home leg in 11 of their last 17 UEFA knockout ties.

Kovačević will, however, have to make a change in goal after Ivan Filipović was sent off in Lithuania. Ivan Nevistić is expected to deputise, while Aleks Stojaković remains sidelined with a foot injury. Matteo Pérez Vinlöf and Luka Stojković returned to the squad against Rudeš and should provide further options.

Viking face biggest European test in decades

Viking arrive in Zagreb with far less European experience than their opponents, but their domestic achievements suggest that Dinamo cannot afford to take them lightly.

The Stavanger club ended Bodø/Glimt’s dominance of Norwegian football last season, winning their first Eliteserien championship in 34 years after finishing the campaign with seven consecutive victories.

That title earned Viking their first Champions League campaign since 1992, when Barcelona eliminated them in the opening round. They have reached the group stage of a UEFA competition only once since then, in the 2005-06 UEFA Cup, and their four most recent European campaigns have all ended during qualifying.

Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim and Morten Jensen’s side have nevertheless established themselves among Norway’s strongest teams. Deep into the 2026 Eliteserien campaign, Viking sit just one point behind leaders Bodø/Glimt and have lost only three of their 17 league matches.

One of those defeats came on Friday, when Rosenborg beat them 2-1 at Lerkendal. Viking will therefore travel to Croatia looking for an immediate response, although facing Dinamo at Maksimir represents a considerably different challenge.

Captain Zlatko Tripić remains central to their attacking threat after reaching double figures for both goals and assists in each of the previous three seasons. His ability to create and score could be crucial if Viking are to take a positive result back to Stavanger.

The visitors will be without Anders Bærtelsen after the Danish defender suffered a broken foot in training, while Veton Berisha is doubtful. Jesper Daland, recently signed on loan from Cardiff City, is likely to replace Bærtelsen in central defence.

Verdict

Viking deserve respect after winning the Norwegian title and establishing themselves as genuine challengers to Bodø/Glimt, but Tuesday represents a significant increase in difficulty.

Dinamo have extensive experience of these qualifying ties and have already demonstrated both sides of their game this summer, recovering from serious trouble against Thun before dismantling Kauno Žalgiris.

With Beljo and Kačavenda in excellent form and Dinamo historically difficult to overcome at Maksimir, the Croatian champions should be capable of taking an advantage to Norway.

Tip

Dinamo Zagreb to win.