Read our prediction for Lok. Zagreb (Cro) vs Rapid Vienna (Aut) below. This preview was written by a sport journalist who is specialised in betting tips and predictions. Use our betting tips for the match between Lok. Zagreb (Cro) vs Rapid Vienna (Aut) and you can increase your winnings!
Lok. Zagreb (Cro) vs Rapid Vienna (Aut) Prediction & Betting tips
The framework schedule for the new season is extremely tight, so that only a few days after the Champions League final, the second round of qualification for the new season is already underway.
Before the game Lokomotiva Zagreb vs. Rapid Wien, the odds show that the guests from Austria are easy favorites in this game. However, both teams are not yet in their usual rhythm, everything is open.
This game is about everything, the qualifying round will be decided in a duel. If there is no winner after 90 minutes, the game will be decided in extra time or on penalties. Kick-off in Zagreb is on Wednesday evening at 18:00 p.m.
Lokomotiva Zagreb:
Even if the new season in Croatia is already underway, Lokomotiva Zagreb is still looking for the rhythm. In view of the two competitive games played so far, this is not unusual. Before the game Lokomotiva Zagreb vs. Rapid Wien, the betting odds show that the host goes into this game as an outsider. The bookmaker Betfair, tested by Wettbasis, offers odds of 4.50 for a home win.
This also has to do with previous performance. The last game against Rijeka was won 1-0, but on the first day of the new season they were dumped 6-0 in the derby against Dinamo Zagreb. So the defense had problems, there was not enough relief to the front. That has to change in the game against Rapid, the win against Rijeka was a step forward.
Lokomotiva Zagreb had to accept some departures. The strong goalkeeper Grbic moved to Atletico for seven million euros, and other important players also left the club. On the access side there was little to observe apart from a few expired loans, only a six-figure sum was spent on midfielder Kallaku.
The balance will be an important aspect in the game against Rapid. The game against city rivals Dinamo showed, however, that the defense gets big problems as soon as it is challenged.
That’s why before the game Lokomotiva Zagreb vs. Rapid Wien our forecast that both teams will score at least one goal. The guests have one or two very interesting offensive players.
But back to the Croatians. Trainer Tomic’s 3-5-2 system will also be the method of choice against the Austrians. With three central defenders you should actually ensure that the protection is in place. However, the two wingbacks have to be very careful and quickly get behind the ball after losing the ball.
There are no personnel problems, the large squad is fully available.
Rapid Vienna:
For Rapid Wien, the game against Lokomotiva Zagreb in the qualifying round for the Champions League means nothing more and nothing less than the start of the new season. It is therefore unclear what condition Rapid is currently in.
The last two friendlies against Slovan Liberec (3: 0) and Sleszky Opava (5: 3) were won, but that was not a real indicator. Now the automatisms have to work, mistakes should be avoided as a matter of urgency.
Before the game Lokomotiva Zagreb vs. Rapid Wien, however, the guests go into the game as favorites.
The route for the guests is clear. First of all, Rapid Wien will be concerned with security, later the offensive efforts will be gradually increased. A strenuous overtime is to be avoided, so the longer the game is balanced, the longer a team will have to increase the risk.
Rapid Wien is essentially starting the new season with the eleven of the previous season. So the squad has not been improved, at the same time new players do not have to acclimate themselves, the team is well established. And she knows what coach Kühbauer wants from her. In addition, there are some good players in the line-up, especially in the offensive area.
Therefore, before the game Lokomotiva Zagreb vs. Rapid Wien our tip that both teams will score at least once. Further tips for the Champions League qualification can be found at Wettbasis.
The Austrians have to do without some players. With Schobesberger, Schuster, Velimirovic, Sonnleitner, Barac, Wunsch and Dibon, a number of players who are very important are missing.