Champions League
2026-08-18 - Dinamo Zagreb vs Viking
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Champions League Play Off Round First Leg
Tuesday 18th August 2026 - Kick Off 8pm
Dinamo Zagreb
They are the long-time dominant team in Croatian Football, but Dinamo Zagreb were in a position they have not been used to last season when trying to reclaim the title that had been lost at the end of the 2025 campaign. Finishing behind Rijeka meant Dinamo Zagreb had not won the Croatian title for the first time since 2017, but they returned to the top of the standings last season and that means a return to the Champions League Qualifiers.
Two years ago, Dinamo Zagreb crushed Qarabag in the Play Off Round to join the new League Phase format of the Champions League and they only just missed out on earning a spot in the Knock Out Rounds. They had to win one tie to reach the Champions League Group in the 2024/25 season, but Dinamo Zagreb have joined the competition in the Second Qualifying Round this season and have already beaten Thun and Kauno Zalgiris.
Dinamo Zagreb are unbeaten in 24 games in all competitions and they have won the last 4 fixtures in succession ahead of this First Leg. The side have won 10 of the last 13 games at home in all competitions since losing to Genk in the Europa League Knock Out Play Off Round in February.
Goalkeeper Ivan Filipovic was sent off in the Second Leg of the win over Kauno Zalgiris and will have to serve a suspension.
Viking
They had not finished in the top two of the Norwegian top flight since they last won the title in 1991, but Viking managed to edge out Bodo/Glimt for the trophy in 2025. Not only did that drop Bodo/Glimt into the earlier Qualifying Rounds of the Champions League, but it meant Viking would join the competition in the Play Off Round and a guarantee of playing in either the premier UEFA competition or Europa League through to next January.
Retaining the Norwegian Eliteserien title is the challenge for Viking who are 2nd in the domestic standings, but only a point behind Bodo/Glimt with a 6 point gap to 3rd placed Tromso. Recent European experiences have ended with Viking eliminated in the Qualifying Rounds so they are guaranteed their best UEFA adventure since 2006 regardless of the outcome of this tie.
Viking have been afforded plenty of time to prepare for this Play Off Round tie and they will not have to play a League game between the two Legs either. They were last seen being beaten 2-1 at Rosenborg which saw Viking's 5 game unbeaten run snapped. Viking have won 2 of the last 6 away games played and they have also been beaten twice in that run, but they have only lost 1 of the 5 away UEFA matches played since 2022.
Head to Head
This is the first competitive fixture between these clubs.
Prediction
Any team that finished above the 2025 Bodo/Glimt side have to be given respect considering how well this club have represented Norwegian Football.
Viking are the Champions of the country and they are only a point behind Bodo/Glimt in the 2026 title race, but they do not hold the same depth of European experience as their rivals.
This has to be a factor and Viking will know that this Play Off Round tie is going to mean having a very difficult test.
Dinamo Zagreb have found a way to win big Qualifying ties to make their way into the Group Stage of one of the UEFA competitions in each of the last eight years. The last two have seen the club playing in the Champions League and Europa League Group Stages and Dinamo Zagreb have shown a competitive level to push for a spot in the Knock Out Rounds.
Home form has proven to be really important for Dinamo Zagreb, particularly in the Qualifying Stages, and that could be key here.
You have to expect Viking to press and look to hit the hosts on the counter, but recent away form has been a touch disappointing.
Plenty of time has been afforded to Viking so they can prepare for this fixture, but Dinamo Zagreb have momentum behind them and they can score at least twice in a winning effort at home.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Dinamo Zagreb 2-1 Viking
