Croatia will host France at Stadion Poljud in Split on Thursday in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie. The 2018 World Cup finalists meet again, with both teams eager to take a crucial step towards the semi-finals.
The winner of this two-legged tie will face either the Netherlands or Spain in the next round. Croatia, aiming for their first major trophy, will seek home advantage, while France, 2021 winners of the competition, look to make another semi-final.
🔴Croatia Seek Home Advantage Against Les Blues | Home Win = 3.73💵
Croatia secured second place in their group with eight points from six matches, despite a slow finish to the campaign. Zlatko Dalic’s side were runners-up in the previous Nations League but have struggled for form, with just two wins in their last five competitive games.
With a solid home record of seven matches without defeat, Croatia will rely on defensive discipline to contain France’s attacking threats. However, they must overcome a poor head-to-head record, having won just one of their last ten encounters against Les Bleus.
🔵France Eye Second Nations League Title | Away Win = 2.20💵
France topped their group with 13 points, finishing ahead of Italy on head-to-head record. Didier Deschamps’ men aim to reclaim the Nations League trophy after their 2020-21 triumph and head into this tie in fine form, winning their last three away matches with an aggregate score of 9-3.
Despite failing to beat Croatia in the previous Nations League edition (D1 L1), France have historically dominated this fixture. They also come off a strong Euro 2024 campaign and remain among Europe’s elite teams due to their plethora of talent.
🔑Key Players & Team News📰
Croatia will be without Luka Sucic, Lovro Majer, and Igor Matanovic due to injuries. However, Luka Modric is set to captain the side in midfield alongside Mateo Kovacic and Petar Sucic. Josko Gvardiol leads the defense, while Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric will be key in attack.
For France, Marcus Thuram misses out due to injury, but Kylian Mbappe returns to lead the attack, potentially alongside Michael Olise, Randal Kolo Muani, and Ousmane Dembele. Adrien Rabiot is likely to start in midfield, with Theo Hernandez competing with Lucas Digne for a spot at left-back.
🔢Match Stats & Betting Odds | Draw = 3.47💵
⚽Croatia have lost none of their last seven (7) home games in all competitions, drawing Portugal and Italy during that time. | Specials Market: Home/Draw & Over 1.5 = 2.29
⚽France have won their last three away matches, scoring nine goals in total. | Specials Market: Over 2.5 & Yes (GG/NG) = 2.29
⚽The last two meetings between these sides in the Nations League ended with under 2.5 goals (1-1 & 0-1). | Main Market: Under 2.5 = 1.84
With Croatia looking to make the most of their home advantage and France eager to take control of the tie early, this quarter-final clash promises to be an intense battle between two European heavyweights.
🔗You can check out the UEFA Nations League game, Croatia vs France, here on MSport.
#UEFA #NationsLeague #UNL #Croatia #France #Mbappe #Modric #Dembele
