TipResumen

ASTANA

It has been a couple of years of frustration for Astana in the Champions League as they have struggled to get through the tough Qualifying section they have to enter to make the Group Stage. The last couple of years have seen Celtic get the better of Astana each time, but this season they have a path set out to the Champions League Group Stage which sees them avoid playing the Scottish Champions. Being in the midst of their season does give Astana a slight edge over their rivals at this stage of the 2018/19 campaign, but there is a clear quality difference between the Kazakhstan League compared to some of the others in Europe. The side had only won 1 of their last 4 European home ties before beating Sutjeska and Midtyjlland in the Champions League this season. Those wins mean Astana have won 4 straight home Champions League Qualifiers. Astana are unbeaten in their last 13 games overall and they have managed to win 10 of those games, although they have had to settle for draws in their last couple of fixtures. The side have won 13 of their last 14 home games in all competitions including the last 10 in a row and Astana will be confident of extending that run considering they have scored at least twice in 8 of their last 10 here



DINAMO ZAGREB

The Croatian top flight is back underway but the focus for Dinamo Zagreb in the early weeks of the 2018/19 season is getting back into the Champions League Group Stage having participated in that in the 2016/17 season. The Qualifiers have become much tougher for those clubs outside the elite European Leagues, but Dinamo Zagreb showed plenty in their 7- 2 aggregate win over Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the Second Qualifying Round. Last season Dinamo Zagreb were knocked out of the Europa League in the Play Off Round of the Qualifiers having seen their 11 straight seasons of winning the Croatian top flight come to an end. However they were back to dominating their domestic League last season and Dinamo Zagreb will point out they are unbeaten in their last 17 away European games in the Qualifiers including the last 15 in the Champions League. Dinamo Zagreb are unbeaten in their last 6 games in all competitions going back to last season which has seen them win the Croatian League and Cup double as well as make an unbeaten start to the new season. One worry for Dinamo Zagreb is they have not won any of their last 4 away games in all competitions and had to come from 2-0 down at Hapoel Be'er Sheva to prevent having a 3 game losing run on their travels coming into this fixture.



HEAD TO HEAD

This is the first time Astana and Dinamo Zagreb will meet in a competitive fixture.



PREDICTION

The path to the Champions League Group Stage has been laid out for both Astana and Dinamo Zagreb with Young Boys from Switzerland awaiting the winner of this tie. I imagine both Astana and Dinamo Zagreb will feel there is a real opportunity to join some of the biggest names of European Football in the Champions League Group Stage, although getting through the next two Rounds will be far from straight-forward. This tie certainly has the making of a close one and home advantage should be key for the clubs in both Legs of this Third Qualifying Round fixture. I have to respect how well Dinamo Zagreb have performed when it comes to the European Qualifiers as they bring in a 17 game unbeaten run away from home in these fixtures. However Astana have won their last 4 home Champions League Qualifiers and Dinamo Zagreb were 2-0 down at Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the Second Qualifying Round Second Leg before coming back against a team chasing the tie. Astana are not likely to be leaving themselves as open as that and I will back the Kazakhstan Champions to earn the edge from the First Leg, although keeping them on our side on the Asian Handicap looks the best option.