Chelsea vs Dinamo Zagreb - Champions League: Team news, lineups & prediction
By Tom Gott
With top spot already secured, Chelsea can afford to relax somewhat when they face Dinamo Zagreb in their final Champions League group stage game on Wednesday.
However, what could have been a celebratory atmosphere was ruined by the weekend's 4-1 thumping at the hands of Brighton, so even if manager Graham Potter opts to rotate his squad, he will still demand an emphatic response to restore some positivity.
Here's all you need to know about this one.
Where are Chelsea vs Dinamo Zagreb playing?
- Location: London, England
- Stadium: Stamford Bridge
- Date: Wednesday 2 November
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT/ 16:00 EST / 13:00 PST
- VAR: Jérôme Brisard (FRA)
- Referee: François Letexier (FRA)
Chelsea vs Dinamo Zagreb H2H Results
- Chelsea: 0 Wins
- Dinamo Zagreb: 1 Win
- Draws: 0
Current Form (Last Five Games)
- Chelsea: WDDWL
- Dinamo Zagreb: DWDLL
Chelsea team news
Reece James, N'Golo Kante and Wesley Fofana are all out and they're likely to be joined on the sidelines by goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who complained of pain in his foot during the first half of the Brighton defeat.
Expect significant rotation from the Blues. Conor Gallagher and Mason Mount are both one booking away from a suspension and are unlikely to be risked, while fitness worries over Thiago Silva and Mateo Kovacic should see them rested as well.
Potter may opt to deploy some academy talents but there will be no Omari Hutchinson or Cesare Casedei. The two summer arrivals were not included in the Champions League squad and they are not eligible to be added to the B list. Dion Rankine, Lewis Hall, Zak Sturge and Eddie Beach have all trained with the team.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Dinamo Zagreb
Chelsea Starting XI (4-3-1-2): Mendy; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Koulibaly, Cucurella; Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Chukwuemeka; Havertz; Broja, Pulisic
Bench: Bettinelli, Beach, Chilwell, Rankine, Hall, Kovacic, Zakaria, Gallagher, Mount, Ziyech, Aubameyang, Sterling
Dinamo Zagreb team news
Centre-backs Josip Sutalo and Bosko Sutalo are both unavailable through injury.
Dinamo Zagreb predicted lineup vs Chelsea
Dinamo Zagreb Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Livakovic, Ristovski, Peric, Lauritsen, Ljubicic; Ademi, Misic; Spikic, Ivanusec, Orsic; Petkovic
Bench: Zagorac, Theophile-Catherine, Dilaver, Stefulj, Moharrami, Bulat, Baturina, Bockaj, Marin, Emreli, Drmic
Chelsea vs Dinamo Zagreb score prediction
There'll be no relaxation at Chelsea after the Brighton loss. Even though this will be a rotated squad, Potter will demand a result to begin the healing process.
The Blues are in for a tough game as well against a Zagreb side who can still qualify for the Europa League. Victory here, coupled with a win for AC Milan against Salzburg, would get the job done for the Croatian side so there will be plenty of endeavour about their play.
Chelsea's defensive stability will be tested and don't bet against Zagreb finding a way through, but the Croatian side's desire to attack could ultimately prove their downfall against a Chelsea side who can cause problems on the counter.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Dinamo Zagreb