Czechia vs Croatia predictions: Continuity holds the key to a Croatian comeback
Daniel Childs
Croatia have won five of their last seven competitive matches
Czechia have failed to win any of their last five competitive games
Recommended bet: Croatia to win, Igor Matanovic to score any time and over 2.5 goals at 21/5 with LiveScore Bet
Czechia had a disappointing 2026 World Cup experience, taking just one point from three group stage fixtures, and they will be looking for a response against Nations League Group A3 opponents Croatia at Fortuna Arena on Saturday.
The summer was a massive anti-climax for the Czechs, who were keen to make an impression in their first World Cup appearance since 2006.
Czechia took the lead in their Group A opener against South Korea but it was downhill from there as they subsided to a 2-1 defeat, before drawing 1-1 with South Africa and losing 3-0 to Mexico.
Croatia did a little better by at least making it to the knockout rounds, although they were edged aside 2-1 by Portugal in the round of 32.
Expectations of the Croatian team have risen over the years and their earlyish exit marked the end of Zlatko Dalic’s nine-year spell at the helm.
Dalic’s replacement, Slaven Bilic, is keen to stick with the old guard and has selected an experienced squad, featuring 41-year-old veteran Luka Modric and 158-cap winger Ivan Perisic.
The latest Czechia vs Croatia odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
New Czechia head coach Santi Denia cannot call on Patrik Schick, who has retired from international football.
Defenders Lukas Provod and Denis Visinsky and attacker Tomas Chory have withdrawn from the squad.
Croatia defenders Martin Erlic and Josip Juranovic have withdrawn from the squad.
The stats
Czechia have gone seven games without keeping a clean sheet.
Six of Czechia’s last eight matches featured at least three goals before any extra-time took place.
Two of Czechia’s last three losses were by a 2-1 scoreline.
Eight of Croatia’s last 10 games have featured goals for both teams.
Croatia started the scoring in three of their last four competitive games.
Croatia are unbeaten in their six meetings with Czechia.
The latest Czechia vs Croatia odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Croatia sensed a missed opportunity after their round of 32 exit at the 2026 World Cup, but they aim to make a bold impression in the Nations League and can start by defeating Czechia in Prague.
Bilic has taken on the challenge of leading Croatia into a new era and is keen to smooth out the transition by selecting a squad with a blend of youth and experience.
Modric, Perisic and Mateo Kovacic remain part of the group, but there is some exciting talent coming through including Brighton defender Luka Vuskovic, Como attacking midfielder Martin Baturina and Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic.
Croatia have lacked a prolific striker in recent years but Matanovic is scoring regularly in the Bundesliga and could soon bring that form to the international stage.
Matanovic can play his part in a high-scoring Croatian success over the Czechs, who face a period of transition after their miserable World Cup performance.
Score Prediction: Czechia 1-3 Croatia
