Dinamo Zagreb will face Racing Genk in the Europa League at Stadion Maksimir on February 19, 2026.

This encounter marks an important fixture for both teams.

Dinamo Zagreb has struggled in the Europa League this season, losing 4 out of 8 matches.

However, they have shown strength at home with 11 wins out of 15 matches.

On the other hand, Racing Genk has a 67% win rate in their last 6 Europa League games and a 50% success rate on the road this season.

In their previous head-to-head meetings, Dinamo Zagreb has secured 1 victory in 2 matches against Racing Genk.

With both teams showing mixed performances and a history of close encounters, the upcoming match promises to be a competitive affair.

The potential for a draw is high, with both sides evenly matched in recent form.

Our algorithm predicts that Dinamo Zagreb and Racing Genk will draw with a probability of 37%.

A tie shaped by margins rather than reputation opens in Zagreb, where Dinamo — last qualifiers into the play-offs — host Genk, the team that missed automatic progression only on goal difference. Both arrive in form domestically, but their European patterns reveal contrasting rhythms.

Dinamo’s

campaign has been volatile. They began the league phase brightly, then lost four of five to slip toward elimination before stabilising late. Encouragingly for the hosts, they have lost just once in eight matches across all competitions, yet their European home record remains fragile, with two defeats in their last three at Maksimir and both seeing them concede three goals before half-time. A recurring problem has been slow starts, having conceded first in six of their last seven Europa League fixtures.

Genk’s trajectory is steadier. Since the disappointment of finishing ninth, they have built momentum with consecutive domestic victories and carry a strong away European record, winning four of five road matches this season. Their scoring pattern is particularly distinctive: ten of their last eleven Europa League goals have arrived after the 40th minute, suggesting patience and late-game control rather than early dominance.

History slightly favours the Croatian side — unbeaten in previous meetings and generally strong against Belgian opponents — but stylistically the clash is intriguing. Dinamo tend to attack earlier and more directly at home, while Genk prefer controlled pacing and often decide games late. The first leg may therefore hinge on which tempo prevails in the opening hour.

The tie’s rhythm could be decided before half-time. Dinamo typically require early initiative to maximise Beljo’s influence, while Genk are comfortable absorbing pressure before accelerating late. If the hosts score first, the match opens; if not, the visitors’ structured tempo becomes increasingly favourable.

Given Dinamo’s habit of conceding first and Genk’s tendency to strike late, the opening leg points toward a controlled and potentially narrow contest, with the Belgian side likely content to keep the aggregate finely balanced ahead of the return leg.