Sunderland return to Europa League action on Thursday night when Dinamo Zagreb visit the Stadium of Light for Matchweek 4 of the league phase. The Black Cats have enjoyed a considerably brighter European campaign than their domestic performances suggest, collecting seven points from three matches and sitting ninth in the standings. Dinamo, meanwhile, occupy 18th place with four points, leaving the Croatian visitors needing a positive result to close the gap on their English opponents.
Régis Le Bris’s side have endured a difficult spell in the Premier League, with Saturday’s 3-1 defeat against Coventry City leaving them bottom of the table. Omar Alderete received a red card during that contest, although his suspension applies to Sunderland’s next league fixture rather than Thursday’s European meeting. Defensive mistakes have repeatedly undermined their performances, leaving Le Bris searching for greater stability.
Dinamo Zagreb arrive following a turbulent few days, having parted company with Mario Kovačević after consecutive defeats against NEC Nijmegen and NK Rudeš. Their caretaker management must now prepare a demanding away fixture while dealing with several injury concerns. Dion Drena Beljo remains their principal attacking threat, while Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey will also attract attention after producing encouraging performances during the European campaign.
Last 5 Games
Sunderland have struggled to maintain consistency across their recent fixtures, recording one victory, two draws and two defeats in their last five matches. Their run began with a disappointing 2-0 defeat away to Bournemouth, before they secured a 1-1 draw against Lech Poznań in Poland.
The Black Cats subsequently failed to break down Leeds United at the Stadium of Light, settling for a goalless draw despite creating opportunities. However, their attacking quality surfaced against Brentford, where Sunderland produced a thrilling 3-2 victory in the EFL Cup. Coventry then inflicted another defeat, exposing the defensive problems that continue to trouble Le Bris.
Sunderland’s last five results:
– Coventry City 3-1 Sunderland
– Sunderland 3-2 Brentford
– Sunderland 0-0 Leeds United
– Lech Poznań 1-1 Sunderland
– Bournemouth 2-0 Sunderland
Dinamo Zagreb have experienced a more volatile sequence, collecting three victories and suffering two defeats across their previous five outings. They opened the run with a convincing 1-0 victory against Anderlecht before dismantling Slaven Belupo 5-1 away from home.
Their momentum subsequently disappeared against NEC Nijmegen, who claimed a 4-2 victory in Zagreb and exposed several defensive problems. Dinamo responded with a 2-1 home win against Rijeka, but their latest defeat against Rudeš proved costly, prompting the departure of Kovačević.
Dinamo Zagreb’s last five results:
– Rudeš 1-0 Dinamo Zagreb
– Dinamo Zagreb 2-1 Rijeka
– Dinamo Zagreb 2-4 NEC Nijmegen
– Slaven Belupo 1-5 Dinamo Zagreb
– Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 Anderlecht
Team News
Sunderland have several injury concerns ahead of Thursday’s European encounter, although Alderete remains available despite his dismissal against Coventry. The Argentine defender should therefore retain an opportunity to feature, particularly given his importance to Le Bris’s defensive structure.
Nordi Mukiele remains doubtful after suffering a neck injury, while Daniel Ballard continues recovering from a hamstring problem. The defender’s expected return around early November offers little certainty regarding his availability for this particular fixture.
Romaine Mundle completes Sunderland’s injury list, with the winger expected to remain sidelined until early January 2027.
Dinamo Zagreb also face selection difficulties, particularly across their defensive and attacking departments. Dani Rodríguez remains doubtful with a muscular injury, leaving caretaker management waiting for further fitness assessments before finalising their plans.
Stjepan Radeljić continues recovering from a sprained finger, while Fran Topić has been struggling with a virus and could return after approximately one week. Scott McKenna remains unavailable because of a muscle injury expected to keep him out for several weeks.
Kirill Kravtsov also faces UK visa delays, creating another complication for Dinamo’s travelling squad.
Possible Lineups
Sunderland could retain much of the side that started against Coventry, although Le Bris may adjust his selection to improve their defensive stability. Roefs should continue between the posts, while Alderete remains available to partner O’Nien if the manager prefers continuity.
Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki should provide the midfield platform, with Enzo Le Fée operating ahead of them and linking possession with the attacking players. Angulo and Rigg could offer Sunderland attacking width and creativity around Brobbey.
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Robin Roefs; Trai Hume, Luke O’Nien, Omar Alderete, Reinildo Mandava; Noah Sadiki, Granit Xhaka; Nilson Angulo, Enzo Le Fée, Chris Rigg; Brian Brobbey.
Dinamo Zagreb are expected to retain several players from their recent domestic starting XI, although McKenna’s absence could force a defensive adjustment. Kotarski should start in goal, while Galešić and Domínguez could form the central defensive partnership.
Mišić and Zajc should provide experience across midfield, with Stojković offering creativity between the lines. Beljo should lead the attack, supported by Hoxha and Rodríguez if the latter passes his fitness assessment.
Dinamo Zagreb possible starting lineup:
Dominik Kotarski; Moris Valinčić, Niko Galešić, Sergi Domínguez, Matteo Vinlöf; Josip Mišić, Miha Zajc; Dani Rodríguez, Luka Stojković, Arber Hoxha; Dion Drena Beljo.
Head-to-Head
Sunderland and Dinamo Zagreb have never met in competitive football, making Thursday’s Europa League encounter their first official meeting.
English and Croatian clubs have produced an evenly balanced record across their previous four Europa League meetings, recording two victories apiece. Dinamo also possess a balanced recent record against English opposition, having collected three wins and suffered three defeats across their last six encounters.
Sunderland enter their maiden meeting with an impressive European attacking statistic. The Black Cats have attempted 67 shots across their opening three league-phase matches, ranking second behind Bayer Leverkusen in the competition.
That attacking volume should encourage Sunderland to maintain their aggressive approach, although converting their opportunities will prove essential against Dinamo.
Where Will The Game Be Decided?
Central midfield should provide the clearest indication of which side can impose their preferred approach. Sunderland intend to press aggressively and force turnovers, while Dinamo Zagreb favour quick vertical combinations that can bypass pressure and expose gaps between defensive lines.
Xhaka’s positioning and passing range could prove crucial for Sunderland, especially when the hosts attempt to move possession beyond Dinamo’s first pressing line. Sadiki must also protect the space around the defensive midfield area, preventing the visitors from finding Stojković or Rodríguez between the lines.
Sunderland’s attacking players have repeatedly generated shooting opportunities in Europe, and their ability to isolate defenders could force Dinamo’s full-backs into difficult decisions. Angulo and Rigg must exploit those openings, particularly when Brobbey occupies the central defenders.
Dinamo will need their defensive wide players to remain disciplined while their midfielders support attacks without leaving excessive space behind. If Sunderland stretch the Croatian backline through overlapping runs, Brobbey should receive more opportunities inside the penalty area.
However, Dinamo’s vertical passing could punish Sunderland whenever the hosts commit too many players forward. Beljo’s movement offers a dangerous outlet during transitions, making defensive concentration essential against a side that has struggled to prevent opponents from scoring consistently.
Game Changers
Brian Brobbey remains Sunderland’s principal attacking reference point, offering physical strength, movement and the ability to hold up possession under pressure. His presence gives the Black Cats an option when their passing combinations fail to penetrate Dinamo’s defensive structure.
The Dutch forward can occupy central defenders while creating room for Le Fée and Rigg to attack around him. Brobbey’s ability to contest aerial balls and protect possession could also help Sunderland maintain pressure after winning second balls.
Dion Drena Beljo presents Dinamo Zagreb with their clearest route towards a goal. The Croatian striker has established himself as their leading scorer, combining intelligent penalty-box movement with the physical attributes required to challenge central defenders.
His positioning could become particularly troublesome if Sunderland lose their defensive shape while pressing aggressively. Beljo needs only a brief opening to threaten Roefs, making his movement a major concern for Alderete and O’Nien throughout the contest.
Prediction
Sunderland’s European performances suggest they should approach Thursday’s fixture with more confidence than their domestic position might indicate. Seven points from three matches have established a strong platform, while the Stadium of Light offers a significant advantage against unsettled opposition.
Le Bris’s attacking approach has generated considerable shooting volume, with Sunderland attempting 67 efforts across their opening three Europa League fixtures. Brobbey should provide a valuable outlet against Dinamo’s defensive line, particularly when the hosts sustain pressure through their wide players.
Dinamo Zagreb possess enough attacking quality to threaten Sunderland, especially through Beljo’s movement and their quick vertical combinations. However, the visitors’ managerial change, defensive absences and recent defeat against Rudeš create additional uncertainty ahead of their trip to England.
Bet365 price Sunderland at 1.48 for victory, with the draw available at 4.75 and Dinamo Zagreb at 6.00. Those odds underline the bookmakers’ expectation of a home win, although Sunderland must avoid the defensive mistakes that have repeatedly cost them domestic points.
The Black Cats should have enough attacking quality to secure three points, even if Dinamo exploit occasional defensive openings. Their stronger European form and home advantage could prove decisive in a competitive encounter.
Prediction: Sunderland 2-1 Dinamo Zagreb
Odds
The following Bet365 prices indicate the expected outcome:
– Sunderland win: 1.48
– Draw: 4.75
– Dinamo Zagreb win: 6.00
A £10 stake would return £14.80 on a Sunderland victory, £47.50 on a draw or £60 on a Dinamo Zagreb win, including the original stake.
Kickoff Time
– Match: Sunderland vs Dinamo Zagreb
– Competition: UEFA Europa League, League Phase, Matchweek 4
– Date: Thursday, 5 November 2026
– Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
– Kickoff: 8:00 PM GMT
