Croatia vs Albania Prediction: Croatia seek redemption
Croatia had a disappointing start to their UEFA Euro campaign with a loss to Luis De La Fuente Spain in their opening Group B match. Croatia looked a shadow of their once dominate selves against Spain and it showed in the big chances created. Dispite having more shorts at goal than Spain, they struggled to convert their chances and ended up falling behind against a clinical Spain side. If Croatia are going to bounce back in this group and make an impact, they will need to turn their fortunes around. This match is a good place for them to start their turn around. They face Albania who fell by 0-1 to Italy.
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Team News
There are rumours of a rift in the Croatia camp after Preisic allowed Bruno Petkovic to take the late penalty against Spain. However, Coach Dalich has played down the rumours dips publicly criticising his striker. Fans can expect a switch in formation and a potential breaking uo if the midfield trio of Madrid, Kovacic and Brazovic. Pundits were quick to point out that Brozovic looked off the pace this time around. To add more drama to Croatia's situation, Nikola Vlasic is set to miss out on the rest of the tournament after sustaining a muscle injury during training.
No changes are expected from Albania's camp.
Croatia's Predicted Line-up (4-3-3): Livakovic, Stansic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Perisic, Kovacic, Pasalic, Modric, Kramaric, Petkovic, Majer
Albania's Predicted Line-up (4-2-3-1): Strakosha, Mitaj, Djimsiti, Ajeti, Hysaj, Asllani, Ramadani, Laci, bajrami, Asani, Manaj
Match Odds
The odds on Croatia to score in both halves of this match are set at 73/49, I strongly believe they will find the back of the net in both halves and for the match to produce over 2.5 goals with the odds on that set at 97/100.
3 Way - Croatia 73/49
It is hard to imagine Croatia falling at Albania's sword, especially when taking into consideration the form they were in building up to this tournament. They managed to see off Portugal in an international friendly, they also defeated North Macedonia 3-0 on the 3rd of June 2024. It is Croatia's Match to lose, Coach Dalic, has been at the helm since 2017 and in that time he has seen Croatia through the 2017/18 World Cup, the 2021/22 World Cup where they were one of the stand up teams. They have not enjoyed the same fortunes in the Euros, with their last campaign ending in the round of 16 against Spain.
Albania like Croatia had a good run of results leading up to the tournament's opener. They carried that form into their opening match, where they scored they opened the scoring against Italy. Nedim Bajrami gave them the lead in the first minute. However, Italy found the back of the net 10 minutes later. A bad result but a positive start, they will try to learn from their mistakes, when they take on Croatia.
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