Verdict: France win
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
In a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final, France will travel to the Stadion Poljud on Tuesday night when they get their Nations League quarter-final campaign underway against Croatia.
Croatia
Starting with the hosts, although Croatia might have dragged themselves over the finishing line last year as they snatched a quarter-final ticket, the Blazers have drastically failed to find any kind of fluidity continuing on from their EURO 24 nightmare last summer. Failing to win any of their three group stage appearances over in Germany and coming under real scrutiny, Zlatko Dalic’s camp will be bracing themselves for a stern examination when they return to Split on Thursday night. Getting their League A campaign underway with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Portugal on September 5th, Croatia have now mustered just a pair of wins from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions. With their recent issues underlined by a shock 1-0 loss against Scotland on November 15th, the Blazers have also notched just a sole competitive clean sheet since way back in November 2023.
Croatia Team News
With no signs of announcing his international retirement anytime soon, former Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric will lead out Croatia on Thursday night and earn a history-making 185th international cap. Likewise, while Ivan Perisic might have turned 36 last month, the former Tottenham star has been included in Dalic’s squad.
The Manchester City duo of Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol will feature in Split. Enjoying what has been a sensational campaign with Spanish outfit Osasuna and notching 15 goals in his 28 La Liga appearances, the red-hot Ante Budimir will play a leading role here.
France
As for the visitors, while France might have got their Nations League adventure underway with a shock 3-1 loss at home against historic rivals Italy on September 6th, Les Bleus have come roaring back in an eye-catching fashion. Claiming some immediate revenge against the Azzurri as they signed off 2024 with a 3-1 romp at the San Siro, Didier Deschamps’ men appeared to bet getting back to their tantalising best. Breezing their way to a quarter-final ticket, Thursday’s guests collected 13 points from their final three League A appearances and they will simply be looking to carry on from where they left off back in November. France will also be excited by their recent Nations League success on foreign soil. Including a 4-1 victory against Israel on October 10th, Deschamps’ side have won their previous three League A showdowns outside of Paris by an aggregate score of 9-3.
France Team News
While skipper Kylian Mbappe might have been shockingly omitted from France’s squad back in November, the Real Madrid superstar is back in Deschamps’ squad and will earn an 87th international cap here. However, struggling to find any kind of stability at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku has not been included.
Enjoying what has been a sensational start to the New Year with PSG, the red-hot Ousmane Dembele will partner Mbappe in the final third. Likewise, enjoying what has been a breakout campaign with PSG, 19-year-old Desire Doue has been handed a first senior call up.
Croatia vs France Key Factors to Consider
When Croatia and France last met for a Nations League showdown back in June 2022, the Blazers collected a shock victory at the Stade de France.
However, Thursday’s hosts have won just a pair of their previous nine appearances across all competitions.
Les Blues collected 13 points from their final five League A showdowns last year.
France have also won each of their previous three Nations League appearances on foreign soil by an aggregate score of 9-3.
Croatia have also notched just a sole competitive clean sheet since way back in November 2023.
Conclusion
Signing off 2024 with a dominant 3-1 romp away at historic rivals Italy, France should be looking to open the New Year with another statement of intent. Mustering 13 points from their final five Nations League showdowns last year and appearing to be getting back to their fearsome best, the former world champions will also be excited by their success outside of Paris. Winning all of their previous three Nations League appearances on foreign soil by an aggregate score of 9-3, Les Blues should be smelling a potential opportunity to claim a first-leg advantage.
Verdict: France win
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
