Will the impregnable Maksimir hold firm? Europa League prediction for Dinamo Zagreb vs Anderlecht
On Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 21:00 CET, Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb will host one of the most intriguing fixtures of Matchday 2 in the UEFA Europa League league phase: Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb welcome Belgian giants Anderlecht.
Both clubs boast a rich European history and are targeting a place in the playoffs. The Croatians need to make amends in front of their fans after slipping up in the national derby against Hajduk, while the Brussels side arrive in excellent spirits following a comeback victory in the Pro League.
The teams have crossed paths repeatedly on the European stage: their previous four meetings produced two Dinamo wins, one draw and one Anderlecht victory. This fixture is traditionally a tight affair, with the outcome often decided by the smallest of errors.
Dinamo Zagreb
The Zagreb side's biggest asset is the fortress-like strength of their home ground, where the Blues have gone unbeaten in 16 consecutive official matches across all competitions. Dinamo have been productive in attack, averaging 2.0 goals per game.
Dion Drena Beljo regularly finishes off their chances, while Josip Mišić and Miha Zajc pull the strings in midfield. Nevertheless, the team has shown lapses in defensive concentration: conceding 1.6 goals per match, along with the positional errors seen against Hajduk (1-2), highlights their vulnerability to quick attacks.
Anderlecht
The Belgian powerhouse have hit excellent form, recording 10 wins in their last 15 matches and four victories in their previous five outings. The team play with discipline, conceding just 0.6–0.8 goals per game, while goalkeeper Colin Coosemans and defender Ludwig Augustinsson provide a solid defensive foundation.
Maamar, Cvetković and Daniil Sikan have impressed in attack, while the hard-fought 2-1 win over Cercle Brugge showed that the Brussels side know how to finish opponents off in the closing stages.
Probable lineups
- Dinamo Zagreb: Kotarski - Galešić, Domínguez, McKenna, Goda - Mišić, Stojković, Ivanušec - Almena, Hoxha, Drena Beljo
- Anderlecht: Coosemans - Maamar, Omobamidele, Pétrot, Augustinsson - Ambros, Llansana, Amane, Winkler - Cvetković, Aasgaard
Prediction
The chances of both teams finding the net are extremely high. Dinamo consistently score at home, but their defensive issues, combined with Anderlecht's impressive attacking output of 2.0 goals per match, make goals at both ends highly likely. My prediction is: both teams to score — yes.
