/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2026%2F08%2Fimago1080695294.jpg)
Kauno Zalgiris welcome Dinamo Zagreb to the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea on Tuesday knowing they have a monumental task ahead of them if they are to overturn a five-goal deficit in their Champions League third qualifying-round tie.
The visitors ran riot in the Croatian capital last week, putting themselves within touching distance of the league phase while leaving the Lithuanian hosts needing one of the most remarkable comebacks in European qualifying history.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Kauno Zalgiris vs Dinamo Zagreb — Tale of the Tape
| Kauno Zalgiris (TOPLYGA) | vs | Dinamo Zagreb (Croatian Football League) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Position | 3rd |
| 37 | Points | 3 |
| 40 | Goals For | 2 |
| 15 | Goals Against | 0 |
| 10 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 2nd / 4th | Home / Away Rank | N/A |
Kauno Zalgiris vs Dinamo Zagreb key stats
- Kauno Zalgiris have scored 40 goals in 21 TOPLYGA matches this season.
- Kauno Zalgiris have conceded five goals in a match for the first time since September 2024.
- Dinamo Zagreb won last season's Croatian Football League title by 18 points.
- The Citizens have kept clean sheets in 50% of their matches this season.
Kauno Zalgiris vs Dinamo Zagreb preview: Can the Croatian side avoid a Champions League collapse?
Kauno Zalgiris face an almost impossible challenge after suffering a 5-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the first leg last week, leaving the Lithuanian side needing an extraordinary turnaround to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
The Green-Whites had been unbeaten in their previous nine matches before travelling to the Croatian capital, but despite trailing just 2-0 at half time, they conceded three more times after the break and managed only two shots on target throughout the contest.
Sopic's side did at least return to winning ways at the weekend, beating Hegelmann 2-0 to move two points clear at the top of the TOPLYGA, while their 40 goals in 21 league matches remains the best attacking record in the division.
Dinamo, meanwhile, are unbeaten at the start of the new campaign and have already overcome Thun 4-3 on aggregate before beginning their Croatian Football League season with a 2-0 win over Slaven.
Having won their 26th Croatian Football League title last season, Dinamo Zagreb are once again targeting domestic and European success, with their higher UEFA coefficient allowing them to enter this qualifying campaign in the second round.
The Citizens also have the comfort of a five-goal advantage and know they have a strong defensive unit they can rely on.
They conceded just 28 times across 36 league matches last season, while they kept a clean sheet in half of their games so far at the start of the 2026-27 campaign.
The 5-0 victory in the first leg was also their third consecutive win in all competitions, underlining the confidence running through Kovacevic's squad.
Even if Kauno Zalgiris cannot produce an unlikely comeback, they will still have the chance to continue their European campaign in the Europa League playoff round, whereas Dinamo will be focused on completing the job and reaching the Champions League league phase.
Kauno Zalgiris vs Dinamo Zagreb form guide & betting tips
| Kauno Zalgiris | vs | Dinamo Zagreb |
|---|---|---|
W
D
W
L
W |
Form |
D
D
W
W
W
|
| 7 | Goals For | 11 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 3 |
D
W
D
W
L |
Champions League |
D
W
W
|
Whispers predicts: Kauno Zalgiris 1-3 Dinamo Zagreb
Dinamo Zagreb to win is priced at 19/50, with the Croatian champions expected to complete the job despite their five-goal first-leg advantage.
Over 2.5 goals is available at 8/15, while a 1-3 victory for the visitors is priced at 10/1 as a longshot.
> Dinamo Zagreb to win at 19/50 | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 8/15 | Likelihood: Probable
> Exact scoreline of 1-3 at 10/1 | Likelihood: Longshot