Croatia and France once again are squaring off this midweek for matchday four of group 3 UEFA Nations League A in Zagreb. The home side is on a mission to end the series of negative results against Les Blues and their confidence has been boosted recently. A consecutive two victory last week should be a warning for France to be cautious towards their spirit of revenge.
Both teams’ latest news
Vatreni brought on a slightly different formation while playing host to Sweden, which they managed to thump 2-1. Nikola Vlasic bagged an opener but then equalised by Markus Berg. Their winning goal finally came from the Hoffenheim man, Andrej Kramaric.
Meanwhile, France was unable to break a deadlock while taking on the reigning Champions, Portugal. Both sides had to share the spoils with a goalless draw. Neither side also failed to create any decent chances in this fairly dull match.
Zlatko Dalic might be employing 4-1-3-2 again in this fixture, which worked effectively with the current squad. Ivan Perisic and Josip Brekalo will be the wide attacker duo without any target man. Luka Modric will be the anchor accompanied by Mateo Kovacic and Nikola Vlasic, while Marco Brozovic is likely to play deeper focusing more on the defensive side.
Didier Deschamps is likely to be in favour of 3-4-1-2 formation with the transition to 3-4-2-1. Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe could be the attacking midfielders behind the targetman, either Olivier Giroud or Anthony Martial. Such could put Croatia’s defense in difficulty again just like in their first meeting in Saint Denis. In the middle of the midfield, NGolo Kante and Paul Pogba are still the best option to occupy the area with Benjamin Pavard and Ferland Mendy operating as the wing backs.
Players to watch
The captain Luka Modric seems to be still irreplaceable yet, not only as a deep-lying playmaker but also as a leader, especially after his comrade, Ivan Rakitic decided to hang the boots. Some other notable names to watch here are Wolfsburg man Josip Brekalo, Inter Milan’s Marko Brozovic and the one who could break the deadlock from the bench, the former Leiceser City man, Andrej Kramaric.
The French boy wonder, Kylian Mbappe is expected to be back on the score sheet again. He has taken his tally up to 15 goals so far in thirty seven caps. Some other key figures of the team are Antoine Griezmann, NGolo Kante, Paul Pogba and Real Madrid’s defender Raphael Varane.
Croatia vs France prediction
The home side may aim for three points here but France’s backline has been fairly solid so far and conceded twice only, which both netted by Zlatko Dalic’s men. Thus, they might have a chance to pick up three points or at least hold them in a tie game.
Betting odds
Didier Deschamps’s men are still the favorite with the odds to win at 2.05. The draw result is at the value of 3.40, whereas Croatia is priced to win at 3.70.
