Dinamo Zagreb enter Tuesday's UEFA Champions League qualifier as the side with something to prove on their own turf. The Croatian champions dispatched Kauno Žalgiris 2-1 in their most recent outing — a professional enough win, though the one goal conceded will give head coach Ivan Leko pause for thought ahead of a tie where there is no margin for error. A draw at Maksimir leads only to extra time and penalties; defeat ends Zagreb's European dream entirely.

Viking arrive from Norway's Eliteserien carrying an air of uncertainty — their recent form in this competition is an unknown quantity, making them a difficult side to read. That unpredictability can work both ways. Opponents who lack data on a side sometimes underestimate them, and Zagreb's coaching staff will have spent the week poring over footage, trying to identify patterns and vulnerabilities in the Stavanger club's structure.

The key battle will likely be fought in the central midfield corridor. Dinamo Zagreb's ability to control tempo at Maksimir has long been their greatest weapon in European competition — they are notoriously difficult to break down at home, and the atmosphere generated by the Dinamo faithful can unsettle visiting sides from the opening whistle. Viking, for their part, will need to be compact, disciplined, and clinical on the counter if they are to pull off a result.

For Zagreb, the stakes could not be higher. The Croatian giants have invested significantly in rebuilding their squad and returning to the Champions League group stage — or league phase — is not just a footballing ambition but a financial necessity. A victory here would represent a significant step toward that goal and validate the club's direction under Leko.

Prediction: Dinamo Zagreb are favourites at home, and their 2-1 win over Žalgiris, while not emphatic, showed enough composure in front of goal to suggest they can manage this tie. Expect Zagreb to edge a tight, tense affair — 2-0 to the hosts looks a reasonable outcome, with the Croatians advancing to the next round.