Croatia vs France: Tips, Odds, and Match Preview

Croatia and France will meet again on Thursday, March 20, at Poljud Stadium as part of the UEFA Nations League A quarter-finals. The return leg will be played three days later in the French capital.

The Vatreni have a special motif against their knockout rival. The 2018 FIFA World Cup final is still fresh in their memory, having lost 4:2 in a cracking game of football. The two teams have met four times since, and you could see that it’s no ordinary game for Croatia.

The French national team comes to Poljud as a footballing royalty and one of three sides that have won the tournament. They are in cracking form, too, with Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe firing on all cylinders this season.

Croatia Back at It

After a disappointing Euro 2024 group exit, Croatia wants to remind the world just how good the Vatreni are. It’s not going to be easy, considering that they haven’t won in any of their last three games and winning only two out of six in the Nations League this campaign.

Still, Croatia plays best when it floats under the radar, and with Modrić, Kovacić, and Perisić still around, it can surprise.

Not here, though. I believe that France simply has too much firepower to win even at the Poljud, and Stake’s odds of 2.13 reflect that.

Croatia Injury & Suspension News

Vatreni are facing France with a relatively strong squad. Luka Sučić missed the final training ahead of the game with a knee injury, while Lovro Majer and Bruno Petković are other notable absentees Goalkeeper Livaković is back after a long injury, and coach Zlatko Dalić has confirmed that he will be between bars on Thursday.

France to Make History

Les Blues are racing to become the first national team with two Nations Leagues under their belt, and it will be hard to stop them. France also had a disappointing Euros but bounced back to finish top of their Nations League A group.

Sure, Les Blues were level on points with Italy, but in the all-important game at San Siro, they beat the Azzurri 3:1 to claim the top spot.

Their recent form has been impressive, winning four out of six games in the group 2 with a goal difference of 12:6.

France Injury & Suspension News

Didier Deschamps doesn’t have too many team worries, either. The only reason for concern is Marcus Thuram leaving the French squad due to a left ankle injury that he was nursing for weeks. Eduardo Camavinga is back after serving a one-match ban.

Croatia vs France Prediction

It’s difficult to see past France for this knockout matchup. Croatia has only won one of its last ten games against Les Blues, and I’m going with Stake at 2.13 for the France win. As for the big and bold prediction, Playbet’s odds of 10.00 for the 2:0 French win look appetizing.

CryptoGamba tip: France win – 2.13 @Stake