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Croatia and the Czech Republic are battling to avoid finishing bottom of their Nations League group when they meet at the Opus Arena on Sunday night.
The hosts are in third place on three points, but defeat could see them relegated to League B.
As for the Czechs, only a win will do against Croatia to take third spot off of them in the final round of fixtures.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Croatia vs. Czech Republic key stats
- Croatia have won eight of their last 11 home games (D1, L2).
- Czech Republic have received a red card in three of their previous four matches.
- Croatia are unbeaten in seven head-to-heads (W4, D3).
Croatia vs. Czech Republic preview: Hosts to avoid automatic relegation?
Croatia vs Czech Republic — Tale of the Tape
| Croatia | vs | Czech Republic |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | Position | 4th |
| 3 | Points | 0 |
| 5 | Goals For | 2 |
| 16 | Goals Against | 12 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 4th (H) | Home / Away Rank | 4th (A) |
It is safe to say Croatia are not the team they once were when they were able to mix it up with the bigger nations.
After their 2-1 defeat in England, their last nine losses have all come up against top-10 ranked nations.
Now, Slaven Bilic's side are just trying to keep afloat in League A, and avoiding defeat to the Czech Republic would ensure a third-placed finish.
Croatia seemingly have no fresh concerns following their trip to Wembley, so should be able to field their strongest possible team, potentially featuring Ivan Perisic following his return from suspension.
As for the Czechs, it has been a disastrous Nations League campaign.
Santi Denia's side have lost all five matches after a 2-0 home defeat to Spain, but it is their discipline that is seemingly their biggest issue.
Czech Republic have had three players sent off across their last four games, including captain Ladislav Krejci twice following his red against La Roja.
He is subsequently suspended for this one, where the visitors must win to avoid the risk of automatic relegation to League B.
Croatia vs. Czech Republic form guide & betting tips
| Croatia | vs | Czech Republic |
|---|---|---|
WLLLL |
Form | LLLLL |
| 5 | Goals For | 2 |
| 16 | Goals Against | 12 |
LLL |
Nations League | LLL |
Whispers predicts: Croatia 3-1 Czech Republic
Croatia are favourites, and given their home advantage and the fact they won in the reverse fixture, we are backing Croatia to win at 8/15 (1.53).
With both teams failing to keep a clean sheet in the Nations League, BTTS – Yes at 4/5 (1.80) is our next pick, while Over 3.5 goals at 9/5 (2.80) has come through twice in Croatia's last four games.
Overall, we are predicting a 3-1 Croatia victory, which is available at 11/1 (12.00).
> Croatia to win at 1.53 | Likelihood: High
> BTTS – Yes at 1.80 | Likelihood: High
> Over 3.5 goals at 2.80 | Likelihood: Medium