BETTING GUIDE: FC Thun vs Dinamo Zagreb, Sturm Graz vs Heart Of Midlothian, UEFA qualifiers prediction
Reading Time: 4min | Mon. 20.07.26. | 18:50
Below are our predictions for the UEFA qualifiers
BETTING GUIDE: FC Thun vs Dinamo Zagreb
In their first European match in any competition since the 2019–20 season, newly crowned Swiss Super League champions FC Thun host Croatian champions GNK Dinamo Zagreb at the Stockhorn Arena in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie.
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Thun completed a remarkable domestic campaign to win their first league title in their 128-year history, but their pre-season form has been shaky, registering just one win from four friendlies heading into this high-stakes European encounter.
Dinamo Zagreb, on the other hand, reclaimed the Croatian Prva HNL crown in commanding fashion last season and comes into this fixture boasting an impressive 22-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.
With extensive Champions League experience and a sharp attacking frontline, the Croatian giants will be determined to take a positive result back to Zagreb, while Thun will rely on home advantage to keep their European ambitions alive.
Kick-off: 9:00 PM (Kenyan Time), Tuesday
Venue: Stockhorn Arena, Thun
Group: UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying Round (1st Leg)
Current standings: N/A (Qualifying Round)
Qualification implications: The winner of this two-legged tie advances to the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round to face either KuPS or Sabah, while the loser will be transferred to the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round.
Form Guide
FC Thun
❌ Loss vs SV Waldhof Mannheim (1-2)
➖ Draw vs SpVgg Elversberg (1-1)
➖ Draw vs BSC Young Boys (1-1)
➖ Draw vs FC St. Gallen (1-1)
❌ Loss vs BSC Young Boys (3-8)
Dinamo Zagreb
✅ Win vs NK Brinje Grosuplje (9-0)
✅ Win vs NK Radomlje (3-0)
➖ Draw vs NK Lokomotiva Zagreb (0-0)
✅ Win vs NK Slaven Belupo (4-1)
✅ Win vs HNK Rijeka (2-0)
Head-to-Head
First competitive meeting between FC Thun and GNK Dinamo Zagreb.
Team News
FC Thun
❌ Genis Montello – Sidelined due to injury.
🟢 Marco Burki – Available for selection (domestic suspension does not carry over to UEFA competitions).
Dinamo Zagreb
🟢 No major injury concerns reported.
🟢 Dion Drena Beljo, Mislav Orsic, and Josip Misic are all available for selection.
Player to Watch: Dion Drena Beljo (Dinamo Zagreb)
Dion Drena Beljo enters this match as Dinamo Zagreb’s primary focal point in attack after an extraordinary domestic campaign where he netted 31 league goals.
The physical striker possesses great aerial presence, sharp movement inside the penalty box, and clinical finishing abilities that make him a constant threat to opposition defenders. With FC Thun struggling defensively in recent outings—conceding regularly across their final league fixtures and pre-season friendlies—Beljo will look to exploit gaps in the Swiss side's backline.
If Dinamo can supply him with quality service from wide areas, Beljo has the individual quality to decisively influence the outcome of this first leg.
Recommended Bets
🟢 Safe Bet (Low Risk)
Over 1.5 Goals
🟡 Smart Bet (Medium Risk)
Over 2.5 Goals
🔴 Long Shot (High Risk)
Dinamo Zagreb to Win 2-1
BETTING GUIDE: Sturm Graz vs Heart Of Midlothian FC
Sturm Graz and Heart of Midlothian FC are set to lock horns at the Merkur-Arena in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round. Both teams have been involved in high-scoring encounters throughout their respective pre-season preparations and domestic campaigns, making goals highly likely in this opening fixture.
Sturm Graz earned their spot in the qualifiers after finishing as runners-up in the Austrian Bundesliga.
Meanwhile, Hearts return to Europe's elite competition for the first time in 20 years following an impressive second-place finish in the Scottish Premiership. With both teams boasting strong attacking options, an open and high-tempo clash is anticipated in Austria.
Kick-off: 9:30 PM (Kenyan Time), Tuesday
Venue: Merkur-Arena, Graz
Group: UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying Round (1st Leg)
Current standings: N/A (Qualifying Round)
Qualification implications: The aggregate winner advances to the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round to face either Fenerbahce or Gornik Zabrze, while the loser drops to the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round.
Form Guide
Sturm Graz
✅ Win vs MKS Pogon Szczecin (1-0)
✅ Win vs SV Kalsdorf (4-1)
➖ Draw vs FK Kosice (2-2)
❌ Loss vs LNZ Cherkasy (2-6)
✅ Win vs Mura Murska Sobota (5-0)
Heart Of Midlothian FC
✅ Win vs Rayo Vallecano (2-1)
❌ Loss vs Celtic (1-3)
✅ Win vs Falkirk (3-0)
➖ Draw vs Motherwell (1-1)
✅ Win vs Rangers (2-1)
Head-to-Head
First competitive meeting between Sturm Graz and Heart of Midlothian FC.
Team News
Sturm Graz
❌ Amady Camara—Thigh strain (out for both legs).
🟢 Otar Kiteishvili – Recovered and expected to be available.
Heart Of Midlothian FC
🟢 Amadou Ba-Sy, Claudio Braga, and Calvin Miller are all available for selection.
Player to Watch: Otar Kiteishvili (Sturm Graz)
Otar Kiteishvili is widely regarded as the creative engine and focal point of Sturm Graz's midfield.
The Georgian playmaker possesses exceptional vision, close ball control, and the ability to unlock stubborn defenses with his decisive passing and movement in tight spaces.
His return to fitness comes as a major boost for the Austrian hosts ahead of this European tie. If Hearts fail to restrict his time on the ball between the lines, Kiteishvili could dictate the tempo of the match and orchestrate clear-cut scoring opportunities for Sturm Graz's forward line.
Recommended Bets
🟢 Safe Bet (Low Risk)
Over 1.5 Goals
🟡 Smart Bet (Medium Risk)
Over 2.5 Goals
🔴 Long Shot (High Risk)
Draw 1-1
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