Dinamo Zagreb are the visitors to Sunderland on matchday four of this season’s Europa League.

Dinamo Zagreb will arrive at the Stadium of Light on Thursday looking to become the first side to inflict a defeat on Sunderland in this season’s Europa League.

The Croatian champions looked to be well on their way to securing qualification for this season’s Champions League after securing wins against Swiss side Thun and Lithuanian outfit Kauno Zalgris to set up a play-off round clash with Norwegian club Viking. However, any thoughts of joining European football’s biggest names in the league phase of the Champions League came crashing down with a 3-1 defeat in Norway after the two sides had battled to a 2-2 draw at Dinamo’s Stadion Maksimir.

Dinamo Zagreb are the visitors to Sunderland on matchday four. | Getty Images.

placeholder image — Dinamo Zagreb are the visitors to Sunderland on matchday four. | Getty Images.

That ensured Mario Kovačević’s side had to settle for a place in the Europa League and they have endured mixed fortunes in their first three fixtures after collecting four points from an away day at Hapoel Be-er Shava and home games with Anderlecht and NEC Nijmegen. A goalless draw in Israel on matchday one represented a solid start to the league phase and a last-gasp penalty from Dion Drena Beljo handed Dinamo their first maximum as they saw off Anderlecht in dramatic circumstances. However, they will travel to Wearside on the back of a defeat after a Beljo brace was not enough to earn his side any reward as they fell to a 4-2 home defeat against NEC Nijmegen.

Join the Echo’s WhatsApp SAFC Channel for the latest news, team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click this link to join.

Domestically, Dinamo have made strong progress in their bid to retain their Prva NHL title and appear to be involved in a two-horse race to become Croatian champions once again. Wins against the likes of HNK Gorica, Rudes and Rjeka have ensured Dinamo are firmly in the mix with Hadjuk Split - although the latter did land a significant blow when a Scott McKenna own goal and a Abdoulie Sanyang strike helped them land a 2-1 home win against Kovačević’s men in mid-October. Dinamo also have a Croatian Cup to defend after lifting the trophy for the eighteenth time with a 2-0 win against Rjeka in the final of last season’s competition - although their immediate focus in Thursday’s trip to the Stadium of Light.

Your next Sunderland read: Régis Le Bris explains Sunderland's recent coaching staff reshuffle behind the scenes