Dinamo Zagreb vs Celta Prediction for 7 November 2025 - Football

🔈 Will the Croatian club's unbeaten streak in European competitions continue? One of the most intriguing matchups of the Europa League's third round is the clash between Dinamo Zagreb and Celta Vigo. This encounter will take place at the Maksimir Stadium, located in the capital of the Balkan nation. The current European season is going splendidly for the "Blues"—they currently sit in a position on the table that allows them direct entry into the Round of 16. Can Mario Kovacevic's squad deliver a knockout blow to the ambitious Celta? We'll find out soon enough.

Head-to-Head

📊 These clubs have not faced each other previously.

Dinamo Zagreb Team Overview

🔵 Since the beginning of this season, Dinamo Zagreb have been under the guidance of head coach Mario Kovačević. The Bosnian specialist is well-acquainted with the Croatian league, having previously managed Slaven, who finished last season in 5th place under the 50-year-old's leadership. Currently, the capital’s Dinamo are showcasing high-level football, trailing league leaders Hajduk by just one point and boasting the best scoring rate in the league, averaging around two goals per match. In the Europa League, the "Blues" remain unbeaten, amassing 7 points from 3 matches.

⚪ In their last Europa League outing, Dinamo Zagreb traveled to Sweden for a clash at the “Eleda” stadium against Malmö (1-1). Despite being away from home, the "Blues" felt right at home. A glance at the expected goals ratio—2.44 to 0.64 in favor of the Croatian side—tells the story. However, Kovačević's men managed to score only in the 96th minute, thanks to a strike from 17-year-old Portuguese talent Cardoso Lopes. Their preparation for another European challenge included a decisive match against Rijeka (2-1) in the 12th round of the national championship. Interestingly, Dinamo once again secured victory with a late goal, this time courtesy of Arber Hodja. This win marked the 100th victory for the "Blues" in their head-to-head history with Rijeka.

Celta de Vigo Team Overview

🔵 Claudio Giráldez and his team are gradually meeting their fans' expectations after a shaky start to the season. The Celts have gone unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions. In the national league, Celta have solidified their position in 12th place on the table, distancing themselves from the relegation zone by four points. As for their Europa League campaign, the Vigo club currently sits in 9th place, having earned six points from three matches. Notably, their only away fixture in this season's European competitions resulted in a setback for Celta, as they suffered a defeat to Stuttgart (1-2).

📌 Last weekend, Celta faced a challenging trip to the "Ciudad de Valencia" to take on Levante (2-1). Despite encountering situational issues during the match, they managed to seize control in the second half and secured a victory thanks to Miguel Roman's decisive strike in the 91st minute. The 3-4-3 tactical setup, which forms the core of Claudio Giráldez's strategy, allows Celta to demonstrate flexibility throughout their games. The wing-backs often drop back to form a five-man defensive line, enabling them to play a more defensive game when needed. Meanwhile, the presence of wingers ensures attacking threat down the flanks, traditionally posing significant challenges for the Celts' opponents.

Latest news

Dinamo Zagreb

🎤 Following their victory over Rijeka (2-1) last weekend, Mario Kovacevic shared his thoughts on his team's performance: "In the first half, we played well, scored a goal, and had chances for a second. In the last five minutes and early in the second half, we didn't play as well, and Rijeka capitalized on that. We conceded too easily, and after that, as you saw, it became a different game. At times, Rijeka played better and had their moments. I must commend our goalkeeper Ivan Nevistic: after our second goal, he made one or two crucial saves. So, we were better in the first half, and Rijeka were better in the second." When asked about the importance of such emotional endings, the coach said: "You're right, I think my team deserves it; we need these situations. We're in a process; Josip Misic and Ivan Nevistic have been here since last season, we have many new players, we're trying, working hard... I can't fault the players for anything; we still have a lot to do. We're dealing with injuries, we've had to play some players out of their usual positions, and we missed injured Miha Zajc and Luka Stojkovic."

❌ In Dinamo Zagreb's injury list are Ronael Pierre-Gabriel, Moreno Zivkovic, and Raul Torrente. The participation of Luka Stojkovic and Miha Zajc in the upcoming match remains doubtful.

Celta de Vigo

🎤 The recent national championship match against Levante (2:1) was a significant moment for 22-year-old Miguel Roman. The Spanish midfielder scored his first goal for the senior team from Vigo. Notably, this was only Roman's third appearance in Spain's top division, having spent two seasons with Celta's reserve team. Reflecting on the emotional victory, Roman said, "I will always remember my first goal for the club of my dreams." As for the most prolific player for the Sky Blues at this stage of the season, it's Borja Iglesias. The seasoned Spanish forward has already netted six goals across all competitions and provided two assists. Whether Claudio Giraldez can strike a balance between experience and youth remains to be seen over the course of the season.

❌ Currently, it's unclear what physical condition Andrei Radu (finger injury), Javier Rodriguez (leg injury), and Williot Swedberg (ankle injury) are in. The participation of each of these players is highly doubtful.

🟨 Referee and Yellow Cards

🟨 Referee and Yellow Cards

The upcoming clash between Dinamo Zagreb and Celta will be overseen by Greek referee Anastasios Papapetrou. Known for his leniency, Papapetrou averages around 3.85 yellow cards per match. Notably, in 6 of his last 10 games, he hasn't issued more than 3 cautions. It's also worth noting the current trend – in 5 of the last 7 matches involving the "Blues," there were no more than 4 yellow cards. Our editorial choice is under 4.5 total yellow cards.

⚽ Goal Prediction

Let's look at the average scoring for each side this season: Dinamo – 2.3, Celta – 1.4. It's important to note that both clubs prefer to play on the front foot and don't shy away from imposing their style in crucial encounters. In 6 of Dinamo's last 8 matches, there have been at least 3 goals scored, suggesting no reason to expect a shift in this trend. We recommend the following bet – over 2.5 total goals.

🚩 Corner Prediction

Both teams advocate for proactive football with constant wing play. Let's consider the average number of corners each side earns this season: Dinamo – 6.3, Celta – 4.9. Our editorial team anticipates that the battles between full-backs and wingers could become the main intrigue of the match. We suggest opting for the following event – Dinamo's individual corners total over 4.5.

The Croatian club should not be underestimated in the upcoming clash. The "Blues" have not only the advantage of playing at home but also a track record of strong performances in previous Europa League rounds. Meanwhile, the "Celts" come from a more physically demanding Spanish league, which could impact their players' condition in this European encounter. Our editorial team predicts a home victory with a scoreline of 2-1, with the key bet being Dinamo Zagreb will not lose.