Sunderland have spent the last few months discovering that the Premier League can be a thoroughly miserable place. Fortunately, Thursday nights have been considerably kinder.

Bottom of the table, five points from nine games and already facing questions about a relegation battle, the Black Cats could hardly have imagined such a difficult start to their second season back in the top flight.

Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Coventry City was another painful afternoon. It extended their winless Premier League run to seven matches and left Régis Le Bris searching for answers ahead of a daunting run of domestic fixtures.

Yet somehow, Sunderland are ninth in the Europa League standings and unbeaten after three matches.

Victories against AZ Alkmaar and Torreense were followed by a 1-1 draw away to Lech Poznań, leaving the Wearsiders with seven points and a genuine opportunity to push for automatic qualification to the last 16.

It’s a remarkable contrast. The team struggling to buy a Premier League victory is suddenly looking rather comfortable against European opposition.

Dinamo Zagreb arrive on Wearside with their own problems, although theirs have already cost somebody their job.

Mario Kovačević departed following Saturday’s shock 1-0 defeat against Rudeš, with former Leicester City midfielder Jerko Leko taking temporary charge.

The Croatian giants are four points behind Hajduk Split in their domestic title race, while their Europa League campaign has produced four points from three matches.

A goalless draw against Hapoel Be’er Sheva and a narrow victory over Anderlecht were followed by a chaotic 4-2 home defeat against NEC Nijmegen.

There is one obvious danger for Sunderland, however.

Dion Drena Beljo has scored 17 goals in 18 appearances this season, including three in two Europa League matches. For a Sunderland defence missing Daniel Ballard, the Croatian striker represents a serious threat.

Nevertheless, the Black Cats have created more chances in Europe than their domestic struggles might suggest. Only Bayer Leverkusen have attempted more shots across the opening three Europa League matchdays.

A win on Thursday would keep Sunderland firmly in contention for a top-eight finish and give Le Bris something he desperately needs: a reason to smile before Chelsea arrive at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

What are the best betting tips for Sunderland vs Dinamo Zagreb?

Sunderland to win and over 1.5 goals

Sunderland’s Premier League form makes them difficult to trust, but their performances in Europe have been considerably more encouraging.

The Black Cats have collected seven points from three Europa League fixtures, beating AZ Alkmaar and Torreense before drawing away to Lech Poznań.

More importantly, Le Bris’s side have been creating chances. Sunderland have registered 67 shots across their opening three European matches, averaging more than 22 attempts per game. Only Bayer Leverkusen have managed more.

Dinamo Zagreb have struggled on their travels, winning just one of their last eight European away fixtures. With the Croatian champions also adjusting to life under a caretaker manager, Sunderland should have enough attacking quality to secure an important home victory.

Both teams to score

Sunderland’s defensive record in Europe has been respectable, but their domestic performances tell a very different story.

The Black Cats have conceded 21 goals in nine Premier League matches, with Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Coventry highlighting the problems that have plagued their back line.

Daniel Ballard remains sidelined, while Nordi Mukiele faces a fitness assessment. That could leave Sunderland vulnerable against one of the Europa League’s most dangerous individual goalscorers.

Dion Drena Beljo has scored 17 goals in 18 appearances for Dinamo this season, including three in Europe. Sunderland should create enough opportunities at home, but keeping the Croatian striker quiet could prove considerably more difficult.

Enzo Le Fée to score or assist

If Sunderland are going to rediscover their attacking confidence, Enzo Le Fée is likely to have a significant role to play.

The French midfielder remains one of the Black Cats’ most technically gifted players, capable of unlocking compact defences with his passing and movement around the penalty area.

Sunderland have averaged seven shots on target per Europa League match, suggesting their European performances have been more productive than their league position indicates.

Dinamo conceded four goals against NEC Nijmegen in their previous European outing, and their defensive organisation could be unsettled following the departure of Kovačević. Le Fée should have opportunities to create chances for Sunderland’s forwards, making the score-or-assist market an interesting selection.

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How to watch Sunderland vs Dinamo Zagreb

Date: Thursday, 5 November 2026

Kick-off: 8pm GMT

Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England

Competition: UEFA Europa League, League Phase Matchday 4

United Kingdom: TNT Sports 1, with streaming through the broadcaster’s subscription service.

United States: Paramount+, subject to final coverage listings.

Canada: DAZN.

Sunderland predicted lineup and team news

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted XI: Roefs; Hume, Danso, O’Nien, Methalie; Xhaka, Sadiki; Meunier, Le Fée, Fofana; Isidor.

Régis Le Bris remains without Daniel Ballard, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, while Romaine Mundle and Habib Diarra are also unavailable. Chemsdine Talbi, Jocelin Ta Bi, Melker Ellborg, Alan Browne and Aji Alese are ineligible for the Europa League.

Nordi Mukiele missed Saturday’s defeat against Coventry because of concussion protocols and requires further assessment. Nilson Angulo is also doubtful after picking up a knock.

Kevin Danso, Dayann Methalie, Thomas Meunier and Malick Fofana are all pushing for recalls as Le Bris considers changes following another disappointing domestic result.

Brian Brobbey signed a new long-term contract on Tuesday, but Wilson Isidor could replace him in attack. Timur Tutierov is another option after scoring Sunderland’s equaliser against Lech Poznań.

Dinamo Zagreb predicted lineup and team news

Formation: 4-3-3

Predicted XI: Kotarski; Galesic, Domínguez, Radeljic, Vinlöf; Mišić, Ivanušec, Stojković; Almena, Beljo, Hoxha.

Caretaker manager Jerko Leko is expected to be without Scotland international Scott McKenna, who is struggling with a back injury and has been omitted from his national team’s upcoming squad.

Niko Galešić and Stjepan Radeljić are competing for places in central defence alongside Sergi Domínguez, while Matteo Vinlöf could retain his position at left-back.

Josip Mišić should anchor the midfield, with Luka Stojković and Luka Ivanušec providing support further forward.

Dion Drena Beljo is virtually certain to lead the attack. The 24-year-old has scored 17 goals in 18 appearances this season, including three in his last two Europa League outings, and represents Dinamo’s greatest attacking threat.

Sunderland vs Dinamo Zagreb stats

• Sunderland are ninth in the Europa League standings with seven points from three matches.
• Dinamo Zagreb sit 18th with four points from their opening three fixtures.
• Sunderland are unbeaten in Europe this season, recording two wins and one draw.
• The Black Cats have scored four goals and conceded twice in their three Europa League matches.
• Dinamo have scored three goals and conceded four in the competition.
• Sunderland defeated AZ Alkmaar 1-0 and Torreense 2-1 before drawing 1-1 with Lech Poznań.
• Dinamo drew 0-0 against Hapoel Be’er Sheva, beat Anderlecht 1-0 and lost 4-2 against NEC Nijmegen.
• Sunderland have attempted 67 shots in three Europa League matches, averaging 22.3 per game.
• Only Bayer Leverkusen have attempted more shots than Sunderland in this season’s Europa League.
• The Black Cats average seven shots on target per European match.
• Sunderland are winless in seven Premier League fixtures, drawing two and losing five.
• Le Bris’s side have collected just five points from nine Premier League matches.
• Sunderland have conceded 21 goals in the Premier League this season.
• Dinamo Zagreb have won just one of their last eight European away matches.
• Dinamo have recorded three wins and three defeats in their previous six meetings with English opposition.
• Dion Drena Beljo has scored 17 goals in 18 appearances across all competitions this season.
• Beljo has scored three goals in two Europa League appearances.
• Dinamo Zagreb parted company with Mario Kovačević following Saturday’s defeat against Rudeš.
• This will be the first competitive meeting between Sunderland and Dinamo Zagreb.

Sunderland vs Dinamo Zagreb prediction

Sunderland’s Premier League form is deeply concerning, but their European performances offer genuine encouragement ahead of Thursday’s encounter.

Le Bris’s side have looked more adventurous in the Europa League, creating opportunities consistently and collecting seven points from three matches.

The Black Cats have also demonstrated that they can respond to domestic disappointment, beating Brentford in the Carabao Cup despite their struggles in the league.

Dinamo Zagreb arrive at an awkward moment.

The departure of Mario Kovačević has created uncertainty, while their European away record suggests the Croatian side could struggle against a Sunderland team determined to produce a positive performance.

However, the visitors possess a significant attacking threat in Dion Drena Beljo.

The striker’s extraordinary goalscoring record makes a Sunderland clean sheet difficult to predict, particularly with Ballard unavailable and Mukiele’s fitness uncertain.

Sunderland should nevertheless create opportunities of their own. Their 67 attempts in three Europa League matches demonstrate that their European attacking performances have been far more encouraging than their domestic results.

Le Fée’s creativity could prove decisive, while Isidor and Fofana have the pace to exploit spaces behind Dinamo’s defence.

I expect the visitors to cause problems, but the Stadium of Light should provide Sunderland with the backing they need to edge an entertaining encounter.

A European victory won’t solve their Premier League problems, but it would certainly make the mood on Wearside a little less miserable.

Score prediction: Sunderland 2-1 Dinamo Zagreb

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