Sunderland vs Dinamo Zagreb predictions: Fofana can flourish in 7/1 bet builder
Tom McGarry
Sunderland are rock bottom of the Premier League with just five points from nine games
The Black Cats have registered five victories in all competitions and two of them have come on Europa League nights
Dinamo Zagreb are second in the Croatian top flight having won seven of 11 league matches
Sunderland have accumulated more points in the Europa League (seven) than the Premier League (five) and they will be aiming to thrive on another Thursday night when tackling Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb.
Regis Le Bris’s side are preparing for the second home game of their Europa League campaign, having won 1-0 against AZ Alkmaar on matchday one.
The Wearsiders are ninth in the 36-team standings, while Dinamo Zagreb sit 18th after a 4-2 loss at home to Dutch outfit NEC Nijmegen in their last European fixture.
The latest Sunderland vs Dinamo Zagreb odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Key Stats
Sunderland have won four home games this season and three of them have been accompanied by clean sheets
All of Sunderland’s five wins this season have been by a one-goal margin
Sunderland have had three 1-0 victories in their last seven games at the Stadium of Light
Six of Sunderland’s last seven home matches have generated less than three goals
Dinamo Zagreb have gone four games without keeping a clean sheet
Dinamo Zagreb have won one of their last five European fixtures
Recommended Bets
Bet Builder
Sunderland to win
Under 3.5 goals
Malick Fofana to score anytime
Score prediction
Team news
Nordi Mukiele (concussion) may return for the home side but Dan Ballard (hamstring), Romaine Mundle (knee) and Habib Diarra (muscle strain) remain unavailable.
The visitors are without defender Scott McKenna (back), who has also been omitted from the Scotland squad for the upcoming international break.
Need to know
Five of Sunderland’s last six wins have come at the Stadium of Light.
Dinamo Zagreb have lost nine of their last 10 away games against English teams.
Prediction
Sunderland are struggling in the Premier League but they have adapted well to European football and can make it three wins from four by defeating Dinamo Zagreb on Wearside.
Trips to England are usually a struggle for Dinamo, who lost 3-0 away to Arsenal in the Champions League two seasons ago.
Dinamo are used to being top dogs in Croatia, but they are second in the table currently, four points below Hajduk Split, who have played one game less.
Jerko Leko’s side can avoid a heavy defeat, but they may struggle to contain talented Sunderland winger Malick Fofana, who scored his first goal for the club in last Wednesday’s 3-2 triumph over Brentford in the EFL Cup fourth round.
Back Sunderland to win, under 3.5 goals & Malick Fofana to score anytime @ 7/1 with LiveScore Bet
