Can Dinamo exploit Hapoel's problems in Bucharest? Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Dinamo Zagreb prediction - 16.09.2026
Hapoel Beer Sheva and Dinamo Zagreb meet on September 16 in the opening round of the 2026/27 Europa League league phase. Although the Israeli side are officially the hosts, the match will be played at Giulești Stadium in Bucharest, meaning Hapoel will once again be without a genuine home-field advantage. Both teams arrive in the competition after being eliminated in the Champions League qualifying play-offs.
Hapoel Beer Sheva: a strong European run ended with defensive problems
Ran Kozuch's team came very close to reaching the Champions League league phase. Hapoel eliminated Víkingur Reykjavík and then produced an impressive tie against Crvena Zvezda, winning 1-0 and 2-0. They also defeated Sabah 2-1 in the first leg of the play-off, but everything fell apart in Azerbaijan, where Hapoel lost 5-2 after extra time and were eliminated 6-4 on aggregate.
Their results since that European setback have not provided much reassurance defensively. Hapoel beat Hapoel Ramat Gan 2-1, drew 2-2 with Hapoel Haifa and then suffered a heavy 4-1 home defeat against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Across those three completed league matches, they conceded seven goals, continuing a worrying trend that was already visible in the return leg against Sabah.
Personnel problems make the situation even more complicated. Djibril Diop is listed as suspended for the Dinamo match, while Itay Rotman has a knee problem, Lucas Ventura is sidelined by a hamstring injury and Igor Zlatanović is dealing with a groin injury. Zlatanović's potential absence is particularly significant: the Serbian forward scored three times during Hapoel's six Champions League qualifying matches.
Dinamo Zagreb: more depth after the Champions League disappointment
Dinamo also came within one round of the Champions League. Mario Kovačević's side drew 2-2 with Viking at Maksimir after taking an early two-goal lead, but lost the return leg 3-1 in Stavanger. Defensive mistakes proved costly in Norway, yet the Croatian champions still showed enough attacking quality in the tie to suggest they can cause serious problems for Hapoel.
The Zagreb club reacted well after that elimination. They drew 2-2 away to Istra, beat Gorica 1-0 and then comfortably defeated Bedem Ivankovo 4-0 in the Croatian Cup. The latter match also allowed Kovačević to integrate several new options without reducing the team's attacking effectiveness.
Dinamo's Europa League squad now has considerable depth. Dominik Kotarski provides another high-level option in goal, Luka Ivanušec has returned to Zagreb, while Iker Almena adds creativity out wide. Kovačević can also rely on Josip Mišić, Luka Stojković and Miha Zajc in midfield, with Dion Beljo, Arbër Hoxha and Mislav Oršić among the attacking options.
There is also an interesting historical detail. These clubs met in Champions League qualifying in 2018, when Dinamo demolished Hapoel 5-0 in Zagreb before drawing 2-2 in the return match, progressing 7-2 on aggregate. Those meetings have little direct relevance to the current squads, but they remain the only previous competitive encounters between the clubs.
Dinamo's squad depth should make the difference
Hapoel deserve respect for the way they navigated most of Champions League qualifying, especially their two victories over Crvena Zvezda. They are capable of playing aggressively and creating chances, and players such as Dan Biton, Mohammad Kanaan and Javon East give Kozuch enough quality to threaten Dinamo.
However, the circumstances of this particular match favor the Croatian side. Hapoel lose the normal advantage of playing in Be'er Sheva, their defence has conceded heavily in recent matches, and the current absence list affects several important areas of the team. Losing Zlatanović would also remove one of their most productive players from the European qualifying campaign.
Dinamo are not flawless defensively either, as the Viking tie demonstrated, but Kovačević has more alternatives and significantly greater depth in midfield and attack. In a match where both teams should have opportunities, the visitors look better equipped to control the decisive periods and punish Hapoel's defensive mistakes.
Prediction: Dinamo Zagreb to win.
