Both Croatia and Albania suffered defeat in their opening matches of Euro 2024 so both will be desperate to secure a win on matchday two.
Spain got the better of a below-average Croatia side, running out 3-0 winners, while Albania started brightly against the reigning champions Italy but slipped to a narrow defeat.
Zlatko Dalic's side remain the big favourite to win against Albania on Wednesday despite that unconvincing defeat to Spain but they should be expecting a tough game against an Albania side that will have the majority of the crowd behind them.
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Croatia vs Albania prediction: Low-scoring 90 minutes a possibility
Key Stats
- Croatia have kept three clean sheets in their last six matches.
- Albania have failed to score in three of their last six outings.
- Croatia sit 10th in the FIFA rankings, while Albania occupy 66th position.
- Croatia have won four of their last six international matches, while Albania have lost three of their last five.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Odds stacked against Albania
- HOME: 1/2 (1.50) – 66.7%
- DRAW: 18/5 (4.60) – 21.7%
- AWAY: 13/2 (7.50) – 13.3%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Croatia are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 66.7%, and we agree with the bookmakers on this selection.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Last five H2Hs: First-ever meeting
Croatia and Albania go head-to-head for the first time in their history on Wednesday at Euro 2024, and we're predicting a tight and tense affair.
Euro 2024 19/06/24
Croatia
Albania
Croatia preview: Need to bounce back
Croatia would have been happy to pick up a point in their first group game against Spain but ended up easily beaten 3-0 in what was a disappointing performance from Zlatko Dalic's men.
Spain scored three times in the opening 45 minutes to practically end any hopes of a Croatia comeback and even when Dalic's side were offered the chance to pull a goal back via a penalty, substitute Bruno Petković saw his effort saved.
Croatia will surely put in a much better performance on Wednesday in a match that they will feel is a ‘must-win' if they are to progress any further in Germany.
Predicted lineup: Livaković (GK), Pongračić, Šutalo, Stanišić, Gvardiol, Modrić, Brozović, Kovačić, Majer, Budimir & Kramarić
UEFA Nations League 23/03/25
L
France
2
Croatia
0
UEFA Nations League 20/03/25
W
France
0
Croatia
2
UEFA Nations League A 18/11/24
D
Portugal
1
Croatia
1
UEFA Nations League A 15/11/24
L
Scotland
1
Croatia
0
UEFA Nations League A 15/10/24
D
Poland
3
Croatia
3
Albania preview: Unlucky against Italy
The underdogs from Albania got off to a flying start against the Italians as Nedim Bajrami broke the record for the faster-ever European Championship goal when he fired Albania in front after just 23 seconds.
However, this would prove to be a false dawn for the Red and Blacks as Italy equalised in the 11th minute and then took the lead in the 16th. Albania gave it their best shot but the Italians simply shut up shop in the second half and were comfortable with their one-goal advantage.
If Albania can keep things tight and play their own brand of defensive football that got them through to Euro 2024 then Sylvinho's side could get a result against Croatia.
Predicted lineup: Strakosha (GK), Hysaj, Djimsiti, Ajeti, Mitaj, Ramadani, Bajrami, Asllani, Seferi, Asani & Broja
Europe - World Cup Qualifying 24/03/25
W
Andorra
0
Albania
3
Europe - World Cup Qualifying 21/03/25
L
England
2
Albania
0
UEFA Nations League B 19/11/24
L
Ukraine
2
Albania
1
UEFA Nations League B 16/11/24
D
Czechia
0
Albania
0
UEFA Nations League B 14/10/24
W
Georgia
0
Albania
1
Player to watch – Luka Modric
Croatia captain and best-ever player, Luka Modric, could be the player to guide his country to all three points against Albania on Wednesday.
The Real Madrid midfielder only played 65 minutes of the Spain defeat with Dalic seemingly saving his captain for the Albania game seeing that defeat was inevitable against the Spanish.
Croatia need an experienced head to guide them to three points
The 38-year-old who has 25 goals in 175 appearances for Croatia has to be our player to watch on Wednesday as we expect him to control the play from the heart of the midfield and if his team are awarded a penalty he will be the man to step up and convert it.
The latest Tweets from each camp
Croatia
? Informacije za hrvatske navijače u Hamburgu! ???? #EURO2024 #CROALB
? Ulazi A, B, E i F: preko stanice S-Bahn Stellingen, javni prijevoz besplatan
? Zabranjeno parkiranje
? Preferirano plaćanje gotovinomℹ️ Više na službenim stranicama HNS-a: https://t.co/P85ktidEGB
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) June 19, 2024
Albania
Goodnight everyone, tomorrow we play Croatia for the first time!
?? vs ??
?Volksparkstadion
? 3:00 PM CEST | 9:00 AM EST
? TV Klan, Klan Kosova, FS1 (??)#CROALB pic.twitter.com/eq89xJf4qQ— Albanian Football ?? (@AlbanianFooty) June 18, 2024