Liam Duckstein
| Prefer us on Google — see Tips.gg in Top Stories & Discover | Add on Google |
This is the second leg of a UEFA Champions League 2026/27 Playoff tie that is perfectly balanced after the first meeting ended 2-2. Viking host Dinamo Zagreb at SR-Bank Arena in Stavanger knowing that a win sends them through to the group stage, while the Croatian side arrive unbeaten in their last 15 matches and with the edge in European pedigree. What makes this fixture particularly interesting is that the bookmakers actually favoured Viking in the first leg, yet Dinamo came from behind to level twice and take a valuable away goal into this return.
Two players deserve attention heading into this second leg. Dion Drena Beljo has been Dinamo’s standout performer across their last five matches, contributing 5 goals and 6 assists and leading the team in shots with 19. For Viking, Zlatko Tripić has been clinical with 4 goals in 5 appearances and is the main attacking threat Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim’s side will look to build through.
The hot stat from this tie belongs to Dinamo Zagreb: across their last five matches they have registered 116 total shots compared to Viking’s 69, a difference that underlines how much the Croatian side dominates in offensive output even when the scoreline looks close.
| 🏆 Tournament: | UEFA Champions League 2026/27 Playoffs |
| 🏟 Venue: | SR-Bank Arena, Stavanger |
| 🗓️ Date: | 26.08.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 21:00 CEST |
Viking vs Dinamo Zagreb Prediction
With the aggregate score level at 2-2 after the first leg, this match effectively becomes a knockout game at SR-Bank Arena. Viking carry the advantage of playing at home, but Dinamo Zagreb arrive on the back of a 15-match unbeaten run and with a significantly stronger squad depth, as reflected in their world club ranking of 77 compared to Viking’s 162.
Dinamo’s away goal from the first leg means Viking must score if they concede at any point. That added pressure, combined with Dinamo’s superior firepower and the fact that the Croatian side has not lost in any of their last seven matches, points toward a Dinamo Zagreb win or at least a goal-heavy match where both teams find the net. Viking have shown they can score at home, but their defensive record across recent European nights has been shaky, and Dinamo’s attack is the sharpest they have faced in this run.
Viking average a notable 11 yellow cards across their last five matches and commit 58 fouls in that same period, which is slightly more than Dinamo’s 54. Their physical approach could work against them if Dinamo exploit set-piece situations, and Kristoffer Askildsen already picked up a free-kick goal in recent games. Dinamo, carrying just 6 yellow cards across five matches, play a more disciplined game and their pass accuracy is strong enough to control tempo when they need to.
We predict Dinamo Zagreb to win this second leg and advance. Their form, squad quality, and away goal advantage make them the sharper side in this tie.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Dinamo Zagreb to qualify (win or draw with away goals) |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 9.5 |
Team Analysis
Viking enter this second leg with mixed recent form. They have won three of their last six matches but also suffered a 1-2 home defeat to Rosenborg, which is a result that raises questions about their consistency at SR-Bank Arena. Their Norwegian league matches against lower-ranked opposition like Kristiansand and Sarpsborg 08 produced wins, but the quality step up to European level has been visible. The 2-2 draw in the first leg showed they can compete, yet they also gave up two goals to a Dinamo side that was arguably not even at full intensity.
Dinamo Zagreb arrive in Norway in excellent shape. They won 3-1 against Varazdin in their most recent match before this second leg, a result that kept their unbeaten streak intact. Their earlier Champions League qualifying run included a 5-0 demolition of Kauno Zalgiris and a 4-0 win against Rudes, results that point to a team firing in attack. Mario Kovacevic’s side have won five of their last seven matches and have not lost once in that stretch. Their 71% win rate across 38 matches this year is the most telling number in this preview.
Most Recent Head-to-Head Matches
| Statistic | Viking | Dinamo Zagreb |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 2 |
🚨Check out our dedicated Viking vs Dinamo Zagreb stats page for more info.
Viking. Source: Official Facebook
Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: Dinamo Zagreb the Favourite
- Moneyline Viking 2.34 | Dinamo Zagreb 2.79
- Draw 3.65
- Over/Under Over 2.5 N/A | Under 2.5 N/A
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes N/A | No N/A
The odds across bookmakers are tighter than you might expect given the context. Viking are priced as slight favourites in terms of the single match result, which reflects home advantage. To be honest, those odds on Dinamo at around 2.79 to 2.90 represent solid value given their form, squad depth, and the away goal they already carry into this leg. The draw at 3.50 to 3.70 would also send Dinamo through on away goals and is worth noting as a secondary outcome. We lean toward Dinamo’s price offering the best return for the risk involved.
Possible Starting Lineups
Viking Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Arild Østbø
- DF: Sondre Flem Bjørshol, Gianni Stensness, Henrik Heggheim, Tobias Moi
- MF: Kristoffer Askildsen, Joe Bell, Simen Kvia Egeskog
- FW: Zlatko Tripić, Peter Christiansen, Edvin Austbö
Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim is likely to set Viking up in a 4-3-3, their most used shape across the last five matches. Arild Østbø starts in goal after the most consistent appearances. The back four builds around Gianni Stensness and Henrik Heggheim, who have both been regulars. Tobias Moi’s four assists across five matches make him a genuine attacking outlet from the left back role. Kristoffer Askildsen leads the midfield and already has a free-kick goal to his name this season. Up front, Zlatko Tripić is the key man with 4 goals in 5 games, and Peter Christiansen offers similar threat with 4 goals of his own.
Dinamo Zagreb Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Ivan Nevistić
- DF: Scott Mckenna, Sergi Dominguez, Moris Valincic, Stjepan Radeljić
- MF: Josip Mišić, Lukas Kacavenda, Miha Zajc
- FW: Dion Drena Beljo, Mateo Perez Vinlöf, Arber Hoxha
Mario Kovacevic will almost certainly deploy a 4-3-3 to mirror what has worked throughout their unbeaten run. Ivan Nevistić takes the goalkeeper spot based on his six appearances. Scott Mckenna anchors the defence alongside Sergi Dominguez. In midfield, Josip Mišić brings composure and Lukas Kacavenda has chipped in with 3 goals from deep. The standout name is Dion Drena Beljo up front, whose 5 goals and 6 assists in five matches make him the most dangerous forward in this tie. Mateo Perez Vinlöf’s 3 assists from a wide role add another creative dimension that Viking’s defence will need to track closely.
🏅Tips.GG premium subscription brings you even closer to WIN!🏅
- Gain access to the most profitable bets by using our analysis of over 60,000 monthly predictions from 1000+ sources.
- Premium users enjoy predictions from tipsters with the highest win rate while also gaining access to favorable odds, outcome calculation, and quick filter to favorable odds.
- Unlock the “Golden Bet” – our unique formula for the best high-odd betting opportunities! Get detailed reports on our system’s performance, including Winrate, ROI, and Yield.
Dinamo Zagreb. Source: Official Facebook
TipsGG Match Prediction
This second leg has the ingredients for a high-scoring night in Stavanger. Viking need to win to advance and will push forward, which opens space for a Dinamo side that has averaged 3.6 goals per match across their last five outings. Viking’s defensive record in European competition has been porous, and Beljo in particular will fancy his chances against a backline that gave up two goals in the first meeting.
We predict Dinamo Zagreb to win this match and progress. Both teams to score is the logical companion bet given Viking’s need to attack. Over 2.5 goals looks almost certain based on the offensive output both sides have shown across recent weeks. Dinamo’s unbeaten streak, superior squad depth, and the tactical freedom that comes with holding an away goal make them the side we back to advance to the group stage.
