CROATIA VERSUS SPAIN PREDITION

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Croatia Team News, Updates, and Facts

Croatia Team News

Zlatko Dalic has called up all of the starters from the match against England at home last time out, but he will also be able to call upon goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic, who has returned from injury, and should once again take his place in net.  There is no place for defenders Borna Barisic and Ivan Strinic, both of whom are injured at the moment.

Croatia Key Man

The match against England never roared into life in front of the empty stands, so Croatia will hope to change that here.  Luka Modric is one big way forward.  The Footballer of the Year's engine could just be slowing down every so slightly, so it could be now or never to see if he still has it in him.  Up front, Ivan Perisic will be asked to pick up the slack that the retired Mario Mandzukic has left.  The winger has been in fine form the past few seasons, and his left foot is feared all across Europe.

Croatia Team Form

Croatia have a win, two draws, and two losses in their last five matches:

2-1 home win vs Jordan (Friendly)
0-0 home draw vs England (UNL)
6-0 loss at Spain (UNL)
1-1 draw at Portugal (Friendly)
4-2 loss vs France (WC)

Croatia Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-3-3

Croatia likely XI

• Goalkeeper:Kalinic
• Defenders:Jedvaj, Lovren, Vida, Pivaric
• Midfielders:Modric, Kovacic, Rakitic
• Forwards:Kramaric, Perisic, Rebic

Spain Team News, Updates, and Facts

Spain Team News

Luis Enrique has made some big calls for this match in regards to his squad.  Defenders Nacho and Marcos Alonso are now longer included, among others, while midfielders such as Koke and Thiago have been left out. Perhaps the biggest player left out is striker Paco Alcacer, who has been in outstanding form for BVB in Germany.

Spain Key Man

In the first meeting between the teams, Spain dismantled Croatia through the weight of Marco Asensio. The inconsistent Real Madrid star scored two magical goals on the night in the landslide victory, and he will remain one to watch against a weak-ish left-sided defence from the Croats. Isco is another to keep an eye on. He has been battling injury lately, but he is back and should be ready to have a big impact in the middle against his club mate Modric.

Spain Team Form

Spain have a loss, three wins, and a draw in their last five matches:

2-3 home loss vs England (UNL)
1-4 win at Wales (Friendly)
6-0 home win vs Croatia (UNL)
1-2 win at England (UNL)
1-1 draw, penalty loss vs Russia (WC)

Spain Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-3-3

Spain likely XI

• Goalkeeper:de Gea
• Defenders:Azpilicueta, Nacho, Ramos, Alba
• Midfielders:Isco, Busquets, Saul
• Forwards:Aspas, Asensio, Rodrigo

Croatia vs Spain Head-to-Head Stats

Croatia and Spain have met seven times ahead of this tie, and it is Spain that has the lead with four wins and a draw so far.  Here's a look at the last four results:

Sep 11, 2018: Spain 6-0 Croatia (UNL)
Jun 21, 2016: Croatia 2-1 Spain (Euro 2016)
Jun 18, 2012: Croatia 0-1 Spain (Euro 2012)
Jun 7, 2006: Croatia 1-2 Spain (Friendly)

Croatia vs Spain Betting Tips and Odds

 WESTERNLOTTO have the following odds available for this match:

Croatia are at 13/5 to win, a draw is at 23/10, and a Spain win is at 21/20.

At the beginning of play, Spain will know that they have a simple task ahead of them: win and they are into the the first-ever Nations League finals.  However, it will not be as easy as it stands because nothing is decided yet in this group.  Even though Croatia have just a point so far, they could come out on top if they win here and also win against England.  Because it is Spain's final match of the group, they need to handle their business here, lest they have to depend on others to decide their destiny.  It also must be said that if Croatia lose, then they will require a win away to England in order to avoid relegation.

Croatia come into this match having had a roller coaster year.  In the last year, they have won seven times, won on penalties twice, drawn twice more, and then lost four times.  Key losses against France in the World Cup Final and to Spain last time out have haunted them a bit, and put them in their current predicament here.  A draw in a very quiet stadium to England last time out also helped contribute to their current plight as well.  Just one win in their last five is the current run they are on.

As for Spain, it's been almost all positives since they left the World Cup, with the exception of the loss at home to England last month.  The 2-3 defeat marked the first time they have tasted it under Enrique, and it means that the group is wide open and for the taking if they are unable to get anything from this match.  Overall, La Roja have six wins, four draws, a penalty loss, and one loss in their last year of action.

No for both teams to score, via Ladbrokes, is at 17/20.

Asensio scoring anytime can be had at Betfair at 3.6.

Croatia vs Spain Prediction

Spain have looked reinvigorated under Luis Enrique's care, and they demolished the Croats back in Spain a couple of months ago.  While you can't expect them to score six again, a victory is not out of their grasp.  

Correct Score Prediction: Croatia 0-2 Spain

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