Europe UEFA Nations League (20.03.2025)

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Croatia vs France Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Croatia:
Livakovic; Juranovic, Caleta-Car, Sutalo, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Modric, P. Sucic; Perisic, Kramaric, Baturina

France:
Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Saliba, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Mbappe; Kolo Muani

Croatia will welcome France to Poljud Stadium in Split on Thursday night in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie. The reverse fixture will be played four days latter, while the overall winners will face either the Netherlands or Spain in the semi-finals in June. Croatia played a solid campaign during the group stage as they have accumulated eight points, finishing second in League A Group 1. But something else should be mentioned and it's the home form. Croatia were excellent at home where they remain unbeaten. The opponents were not naive at all. Croatia managed to beat Poland and Scotland and drew with Portugal. Coach Zlatko Dalic will be without four players, as the midfield duo Luka Sucic and Lovro Majer are out injured, as well as striker Igor Matanovic. Finally, Bruno Petkovic has just recently recovered from a long-term hip problem and this match contest too soon for him. At the age of 39, the captain Luka Modric is in contention to earn his 185th international cap.

France are favorites in this match and I expect to secure semifinal. They started the campaign bad, with a home defeat from Italy. However, four victories and just one draw in the remaining five matches in the group were enough for progress. Les Bleus will now try to win a second Nations League trophy under Didier Deschamps after going all the way in the 2020-21 season. France travel to Split having won each of their last three away games and beating Belgium and Italy in the process. The atmosphere in the squad is excellent, while the players confidence is high. Deschamps has the majority of his players available, including the biggest star Kylian Mbappe, who was omitted from the past two international breaks. The biggest problem for the French coach is the absence of Inter Milan forward Marcus Thuram. He has withdrawn from the squad due to an ankle injury, and Deschamps has decided against calling up a replacement.

Croatia vs France Prediction:

Croatia play at home and this fact should not be underestimated. The midfield is fantastic, captain Luka Modric will be joined by Manchester City's Mateo Kovacic. Josko Gvardiol is the main player in defense, while Ivan Perisic will try to deliver goals. He is the top-scoring player in Croatia's current squad with 33 international goals. The problem is they are old and slow. France have a player able to make a difference in this match - Mbappe. But there are more, Dembele and Kolo Muani are also talented players. According to me, France are closer to the victory.

Croatia vs France Pick: France to win @ 2.11 with Pinnacle