France will look to overturn a two-goal deficit when they take on Croatia in the second leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final on Sunday, 23 March.
The hosts are looking to become the first country to win the Nations League twice but if they play like they did in Croatia on Thursday night then that pursuit will end in Paris on Sunday night.
Croatia, meanwhile, are on a path of redemption as they look to to go one better than they managed in 2023 when they lost the Nations League final to Spain.
As part of this week's round of Nations League betting tips, check out our France vs Croatia prediction below.
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Croatia vs France prediction: The hosts to win on the night
Key Stats
- France have won four of their last six UEFA Nations League matches.
- Croatia have failed to win any of their last six away matches.
- More than two goals have been scored in five of France's last seven matches.
Correct score prediction: France 2-1 Croatia
Their performance in Croatia on Thursday was an anomaly rather than the norm when you look at how France have fared in recent times. It would be a shock if they were to perform as badly as that again, particularly at the Stade de France. Croatia's away form is undoubtedly a concern so it's hard to imagine them winning in Paris.
Pre-game odds and win probability: France start as big favourites
- HOME: 4/9 (1.44) – 69.2%
- DRAW: 7/2 (4.50) – 22.2%
- AWAY: 11/2 (6.50) – 15.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The France vs Croatia odds are a slight surprise given that it was only a few days ago that the team now priced at 11/2 to win beat the team priced at 4/9. Regardless, France are the big favourites for this one and Ladbrokes have given them a 69.2% chance of victory while Croatia have been given just a 15.4% of coming out on top.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Advantage Croatia
Croatia have been somewhat of a bogey team for France in recent times with Luka Modric and co undefeated in their last three matches against Les Bleus. On Thursday night, they were dominant from start to finish and well worth their 2-0 victory. Can they now repeat that performance at the Stade de France?
UEFA Nations League 20/03/25
Croatia
France
UEFA Nations League 13/06/22
France
Croatia
UEFA Nations League 06/06/22
Croatia
France
UEFA Nations League 14/10/20
Croatia
France
UEFA Nations League 08/09/20
France
Croatia
France preview: A final hurrah for Deschamps
Didier Deschamps revealed at the start of the year that he will step down as the French national team coach after the 2026 World Cup. While the ultimate aim will be to ride off into the sunset with another World Cup under his belt, winning the Nations League again would also be a nice way to finish. He will need his team to respond, though, after Thursday's shambolic showing.
Predicted lineup: Maignan (GK), Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Dembele, Olise, Barcola, Mbappe
UEFA Nations League 23/03/25
W
Croatia
0
France
2
UEFA Nations League 20/03/25
L
Croatia
2
France
0
UEFA Nations League A 17/11/24
W
Italy
1
France
3
UEFA Nations League A 14/11/24
D
Israel
0
France
0
UEFA Nations League A 14/10/24
W
Belgium
1
France
2
Croatia preview: The old guard continue to get the job done
The transition from the Croatian old guard to new blood is going to come at some point, but Croatia seem to be content with getting as much as they possibly can out of the likes of Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic and Mateo Kovacic while they still can. It was the 36-year-old Perisic who stole the show on Thursday, scoring and setting up another.
Predicted lineup: Livakovic (GK), Caleta-Car, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Stanisic, Kovacic, Modric, Sosa, Perisic, Kramaric, Budimir
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
Player to watch: Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe has proven his worth to Real Madrid this season, stepping up in some big moments for the club to put them in a great position both domestically and in Europe going into the final few months of the season. His national team now need him to stand up and deliver and given his track record of doing exactly that over the years, you'd be foolish to bet against him bailing them out again here.