Lokomotiva Zagreb vs Rapid Wien Prediction

Bayern may have clinched Europe’s continental prize on Sunday, but the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League qualification rounds are already in full swing. Croatia’s Lokomotiva Zagreb host Austria’s Rapid Wien on Wednesday evening, with a place in the third qualifying round available here.

As both feature in the competition at this stage after their respective league achievements in 2019-20, who will progress? Read my match preview, for the correct score predictions and best betting tips ahead of this fixture.

Lok. Zagreb vs Rapid Vienna Betting Tips

After succumbing to an embarrassing 6-0 thrashing by Dinamo Zagreb on August 16, Lokomotiv Zagreb responded with a narrow victory five days later.

Dino Halilovic, younger brother of former wonderkid Alen, replaced an injured Marko Dira after 16 minutes. Less than ten minutes into the second-half, the 22-year-old midfielder broke the deadlock with a well-taken header. It’s likely the matchwinner will be rewarded with a start here.

Goran Tomic watched his players beat a side that almost pipped them to Champions League qualification last term. After 36 games played, only a point separated the two teams – so their latest win will provide a much-needed morale boost.

Rapid Wien meanwhile, won three successive pre-season friendlies to start August on a high. They lost three of their final five league games in the Austrian Bundesliga’s Championship Round.

However, head coach Dietmar Kuhbauer will hope the break came at an opportune time for his players – recharged and ready for further developments this season. He would have been pleased to see those on the scoresheet in their most recent friendly victory against Slovan Liberec.

Taxiarchis Fountas and Ercan Kara continued where they left off last term, while promising teenage defender Leo Greiml scored his first goal among senior teammates. Although keeping clean sheets are important for central defenders, he’ll be hoping for his first competitive strike next!

Lok. Zagreb vs Rapid Vienna Correct Score Predictions

Although they haven’t featured in competitive action for more than six weeks since Austria’s top-flight was concluded, I’m backing a Vienna win here. They possess more European pedigree than Wednesday’s hosts and should emerge victorious in this one-legged tie.