Croatia will begin their World Cup qualifying campaign on Friday with a trip to Estadio Do Algarve, where they face Gibraltar.
In their five-team group, the hosts have lost both of their opening games and are last, while Croatia are locked in third place but are six points behind the Group L's top two.
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Gibraltar vs Croatia prediction: Leaky hosts likely to concede
Key Stats
- Gibraltar's goal difference of minus six is the worst in their group, conceding seven times in two matches.
- Croatia have led at half time in three of their six most recent outings, including against France and Poland.
- The away side have not scored in their last two fixtures on the road, whereas they had netted 10 in their prior seven on their travels.
Correct score prediction: Gibraltar 1-3 Croatia
The visitors' pedigree in international tournaments is unquestionable, with the country of four million finishing second and third in the past two iterations of the World Cup, and veterans such as Luka Modric should still have enough quality to ease past minnows Gibraltar.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Croatia strongly backed by the bookmakers
- HOME: 80/1 (81) – 1.2%
- DRAW: 25/1 (26) – 3.8%
- AWAY: 1/80 (1.01) – 98.8%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Croatia are widely expected to win on Friday, with a probability of 98.8%, and it would be one of the more shocking international results in recent years if Gibraltar upset the odds.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Croatia on top
The nation's do not have a long history of confrontations, though Croatia can boast the fact that they emerged as 4-0 victors when they met in June 2015.
African Nations C'ship Qualifying 07/06/15
Croatia
Gibraltar
Gibraltar preview: Routed by Czechia
Few would have expected Gibraltar to come out on top against Czechia, who can boast the likes of Tomas Soucek and Patrik Schick in their squad, but their 4-0 loss on March 25 in their most recent qualifying game was particularly concerning given they only mustered one shot in the entire match.
Should boss Julio Ribas opt to use a midfield three on Friday, supporters can expect to see Daniel Bent in a defensive role behind number eights Tjay De Barr and James Scanlon.
Predicted lineup: Banda (GK), Ronan, Lopes, Annesley, Britto, Barr, Bent, Scanlon, Jessop, Hmidi & Richards
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Europe - World Cup Qualifying 25/03/25
L
Czechia
4
Gibraltar
0
Europe - World Cup Qualifying 22/03/25
L
Montenegro
3
Gibraltar
1
International Match 19/11/24
D
Moldova
1
Gibraltar
1
UEFA Nations League D 15/11/24
D
San Marino
1
Gibraltar
1
UEFA Nations League D 13/10/24
D
Liechtenstein
0
Gibraltar
0
Croatia preview: Collapse against France
It looked as if Croatia would advance to the semi-final of the Nations League after winning the first leg of their quarter-final clash 2-0, they were beaten 2-0 in the second leg on March 23 and were heartbreakingly eliminated 5-4 during a penalty shootout.
Winger Perisic may be ageing, but he will still be trusted to provide attacking runs up the right flank.
Predicted lineup: Livakovic (GK), Stanisic, Sutalo, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol, Modric, Kovacic, Perisic, Baturina, 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: Luka Modric
Luka Modric has been at the heart of his nation's rise on the international stage, and having left Real Madrid, he will be keen to demonstrate to interested parties that he still has what it takes at the top level.
However, it remains to be seen if the 39-year-old can still perform, though the slower pace of international football could benefit him.