This Thursday, the much-anticipated match between Croatia and France will take place at the Stadion Poljud in Split. The kickoff is set for 20:45, marking the first leg of their quarter-final clash in the UEFA Nations League. Croatia, after a lackluster phase in the group stages, managed to secure second place in Group 1 of League A, setting up this crucial encounter.
The Croatian coach, Zlatko Dalic, will need to rally his squad as they face a formidable French team that topped Group 2 of League A. Known for their resilience and tactical acumen, France looks to carry the momentum gained from recent victories into this match, particularly after a strong showing against Italy, where they won 1-3 in their last outing of the group stages.
Statistics suggest that France comes into this match with higher expectations. Their performance in recent games shows that they’ve emerged victorious in 4 of their last 5 matches, including significant wins against Italy and Belgium in the tournament. As such, they will aim for a strong start in Croatia to set a positive tone for the return leg at home.
In contrast, Croatia hasn't claimed a victory in their last three matches, which could affect their confidence heading into the clash. Despite their early success in the league, as they won 2 out of their first 3 games, the team struggled to maintain their form, finishing second in their group.
The predictions for this match vary. The betting algorithm from Sportytrader gives Croatia a slim chance of 28.48% to win, with odds set at 4.45. Meanwhile, a draw is calculated at 36.3% with odds of 3.4, whereas a French victory stands at 35.21% with odds of 2.05.
One of the key players for Croatia will undoubtedly be Luka Modric. The 39-year-old midfielder continues to play at a high level with Real Madrid and is crucial for the Croatian setup. He will need to guide a younger core that includes rising defender Josko Gvardiol from Manchester City, who will be tasked with keeping the French attackers at bay.
On the French side, Kylian Mbappé is making a return after missing the last two gatherings and will be eager to make an impact. His presence will bolster an attack that already features in-form players like Ousmane Dembélé, who is thriving in 2025 and expected to pose a significant threat to the Croatian defense. However, France does face a setback with Marcus Thuram being unavailable for this match.
This encounter promises high stakes and drama, as both teams aspire to advance to the semi-finals. The recent head-to-head statistics show France has had a favorable record over Croatia, winning 60% of their last encounters. France's attacking prowess, combined with strategic goals, makes them the favorites to emerge victorious.
As anticipation builds, spectators will also be able to follow the match on TF1, which is set to broadcast the event live. Additionally, a plethora of betting opportunities are available for fans eager to engage with the match.
Overall, the matchup between Croatia and France is shaping up to be a pivotal one, reflecting the competitive nature of international football. Fans from both nations will be watching closely as they hope to support their teams in this exciting quarter-final duel in the UEFA Nations League.
