AEK Athens host Dinamo Zagreb at the Agia Sophia Stadium on Tuesday night in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. The Greek champions reached thus far after winning the Greece Super League last season as they hope to make their first appearance in Europe since the 2020-21 season. AEK Athens have been preparing for the big season ahead with a spate of friendlies over the summer. They have played five friendlies this summer, including a 3-1 victory over Trabzonspor last time out. The home side are yet to officially begin their 2023-24 campaign, but Dinamo Zagreb have already had to overcome Astana to advance to the third qualifying round of this season's European Cup. Dinamo Zagreb are the reigning Croatian champions, finishing 10 points clear of second-placed Hajduk Split at the top of the table last season. They have already started their 2023-24 campaign, claiming four points from their opening three matches, which has left them in fourth position in the table. On Sunday, they were held to a goalless draw by HNK Gorica at home. For this encounter, I am expecting a win or a draw for Dinamo Zagreb for the following reasons:

Firstly. The Double-Headed Eagles come in with momentum, but Zagreb are regulars in Europe and have more experience than AEK. In the last round of the Champions League qualifiers, the Croatian outfit beat Astana 6-0 on aggregate. They won the first leg 4-0 at home before a 2-0 win in the Kazakh capital. They are also on a good run of form, winning four and drawing one of their last six games. And they have kept clean sheets in their last four games to buttress how solid their defence is.

Secondly. AEK Athens are yet to play any competitive match for weeks now. Their state of mind and preparedness may not be on same level as their opponents. However, they have played five friendlies this summer, winning each of their last four, including a 3-1 success over Trabzonspor last time out. AEK Athens will not begin their domestic season until August 19, so they can fully concentrate on both legs of this contest, and the Greek giants will know the importance of making the most of home advantage.

AEK Athens will be aware of the importance of claiming a strong result ahead of the return fixture in Croatia, and I am expecting a tight game on Tuesday night. But, Dinamo enter the tie in a great run of form. Their attack is firing on all cylinders while their defence has been very resolute. I will be backing Dinamo to get a win or a draw playing away from their home.

周二晚上，雅典AEK队将在亚索菲亚体育场迎战萨格勒布迪纳摩队，进行欧冠第三轮预选赛的首回合比赛。这支希腊冠军球队在上赛季赢得希腊超级联赛冠军后，到目前为止一直在前进，他们希望在2020-21赛季之后首次出现在欧洲赛场上。雅典AEK一直在为即将到来的重要赛季做准备，在夏天进行了一系列的友谊赛。今年夏天他们已经打了五场友谊赛，包括上次3:1战胜特拉布宗斯波尔。主队2023-24赛季还没有正式开始，但萨格勒布迪纳摩已经击败阿斯塔纳进入本赛季欧洲杯预选赛第三轮。萨格勒布迪纳摩是克罗地亚的卫冕冠军，上赛季在积分榜上领先第二名哈伊杜克-斯普利特10分。他们已经开始了他们的2023-24赛季，在前三场比赛中拿到了4分，这使得他们在积分榜上排名第四。周日，他们在主场0比0被戈里察逼平。对于这场比赛，我希望萨格勒布迪纳摩能赢或平局，原因如下:

首先。双头鹰带着冲劲来了，但萨格勒布是欧洲赛场的常客，比AEK更有经验。在欧冠预选赛的最后一轮，克罗地亚球队以总比分6-0击败阿斯塔纳。他们在主场以4比0获胜，然后在哈萨克斯坦首都以2比0获胜。他们的状态也很好，最近6场比赛4胜1平。他们在最近的四场比赛中保持了零失球，这证明了他们的防守是多么的稳固。

其次。雅典AEK已经好几个星期没有参加任何正式比赛了。他们的心理状态和准备可能与他们的对手处于同一水平。然而，他们今年夏天已经打了五场友谊赛，最近四场都赢了，包括上次3:1战胜特拉布宗斯波尔。雅典AEK直到8月19日才开始他们的国内赛季，所以他们可以完全专注于两回合的比赛，希腊巨人将知道充分利用主场优势的重要性。

雅典AEK将意识到在克罗地亚回归之前取得一个强势结果的重要性，我预计周二晚上会有一场激烈的比赛。但是，迪纳摩以良好的状态进入决赛。他们的进攻火力全开，而防守却十分坚决。我会支持迪纳摩在客场取得一场胜利或一场平局。