Dinamo Zagreb and PSV Eindhoven will face off in the Europa League on Thursday.
Both sides are off to surprisingly disappointing starts in the tournament. The Dutch team has been viewed as a top contender to win the group while Zagreb's recent runs to the Champions League made it a group favorite prior to the start of the tournament. However, neither has lived up to the billing and could be out of the tournament early thanks to solid starts from lesser known contenders.
PSV Eindhoven sits in second place in the group with three points, but lost its home opener to a surprisingly good Ludogorets Razgrad side. Fortunately, the team came back with a better effort at home against Choronomorets Odesa in its second game and earned three huge points.
Fortune has not been as kind to Dinamo Zagreb as the Croatian team has lost two straight games to open the tournament. The team held a 1-0 lead at home against Odesa but two goals in three minutes and lost. The second match in Razgrad was not even close as Dinamo lost 3-0 and never imposed its will on the match.
A win by PSV Eindhoven puts Zagreb in peril of elimination; a win by the Croatian side pulls it level with its opponent and back into the race for a top spot.
Prediction: Both sides know what is at stake and will likely play an entertaining match. Look for Zagreb to win 1-0.
Start Time: 3 p.m. EST