Spain and Croatia clash on Saturday in their UEFA Euro 2024 Group B opener. Our Spain vs Croatia prediction considers whether either side can make a winning start in a repeat of a high-scoring round-of-16 clash from three years ago.
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Spain vs Croatia prediction: Score draw in Berlin
Key stats
- Our Spain vs Croatia betting tips take into account the strong form of the Croats heading into this tournament with five wins and a draw from their last six internationals.
- Croatia have only lost one of their last six group stage matches at the Euros.
- Four of Spain’s last six games have seen both teams score with La Roja averaging 3.16 goals per game during that period.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Spain favourites to make winning start
- SPAIN: 10/11 (1.91) – 52.4%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- CROATIA: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.8%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The 2008 and 2012 champions are the favourites according to the Spain vs Croatia odds with an implied probability of 52.4% that they win this one.
Spain scored five in each of their two warm-up games with Pedri scoring twice in a 5-1 win over Northern Ireland last time out.
Croatia meanwhile come into this game after an encouraging 2-1 friendly win over Portugal with Luka Modric and Ante Budimir on target.
For more of the latest football picks from Euro 2024 and beyond, today’s betting tips will guide you through the best of the action.
Last five H2Hs: Familiar Euro foes clash again
Our Spain vs Croatia prediction points to another high scoring contest with four of the last five meetings producing over 2.5 goals. This is the fourth Euros in a row that the sides have met with one win apiece before Spain triumphed 5-3 in extra time at Euro 2020.
UEFA Nations League 18/06/23
Croatia
Spain
Euro 2021 28/06/21
Croatia
Spain
UEFA Nations League 15/11/18
Croatia
Spain
UEFA Nations League 11/09/18
Spain
Croatia
Euro 2016 21/06/16
Croatia
Spain
Spain preview: De la Fuente facing big selection calls
There are no major injury concerns for Spain but Luis de la Fuente must decide whether to stick with an out-of-form Alvaro Morata up top. Marc Cucurella and Alex Grimaldo are also fighting for one place at left-back while Aymeric Laporte is hoping to edge out Nacho in central defence.
Predicted Lineup: Simon (GK), Cucurella, Laporte, Le Normand, Carvajal, Rodri, Ruiz, Pedri, Williams, Morata & Lamine Yamal
UEFA Nations League 23/03/25
W Netherlands 3 (4) Spain 3 (5) UEFA Nations League 20/03/25
D Netherlands 2 Spain 2 UEFA Nations League A 18/11/24
W Switzerland 2 Spain 3 UEFA Nations League A 15/11/24
W Denmark 1 Spain 2 UEFA Nations League A 15/10/24
W Serbia 0 Spain 3
Croatia preview: Budimir pushing for starting role
Several players were cut from the preliminary Croatia Euro 2024 squad including defenders Borna Barisic and Duje Caleta-Car. In-form Osasuna forward Ante Budimir is hoping to be preferred to Bruno Petkovic up top after scoring against Portugal.
Predicted Lineup: Livakovic (GK), Gvardiol, Erlic, Sutalo, Stanisic, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Majer, Budimir, Kramaric
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 – Lamine Yamal
Spain’s plan for this tournament seems to rely heavily on the wide threat that Nico Williams and particularly Lamine Yamal will provide. The 16 year old has had a breakthrough season at Barcelona registering five goals and five assists in La Liga.
Electric dribbler set to light up the Euros
The teenager averaged 1.9 dribbles per game in La Liga and 2.3 in the Champions League this season. He also tore into Brazil in a recent friendly match for the national team which highlighted what a huge threat he could be at this tournament, even at such a young age.
The latest Tweets from each camp
Spain
The SEFutbol Fan Embassy launches recommendations for Spain-Croatia.
The initiative @FansEurope (FSE) aims to inform Spanish fans with useful information for the match.
ℹ️ https://t.co/21rP830NeJ#VamosEspaña | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/aeIIvRpkhb
— Spanish Football (@SpainIsFootball) June 15, 2024
Croatia
The stage is set. As soon as our first game kicks off against Spain, you can own the match-worn & signed shirt of your favourite Croatia player, straight from the pitch!
We’ve teamed up with @MatchWornShirt to offer online auctions for the worn & signed shirts from all our… pic.twitter.com/X8QRjgM0XC
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) June 15, 2024