All eyes will be on Parken Stadium when Croatia and Spain take on each other in the EURO 2020 playoffs. The Croats secured a place in the playoffs after a 3-1 win over Scotland, but Luka Modric and company will have to work harder for this Monday’s big game. Croatia will be missing important defender Lovren at the match. The good news is that CSKA attacker Vlasic should keep his place in the starting XI after producing a fine display in their triumph over Scotland.
La Roja and Slovakia played to a 5-0 loss in La Roja’s group stage match, but they didn’t have much of a competition. Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has recovered from the coronavirus and is likely to keep his place in the starting XI. With Luis Enrique having a full squad at hand, we are tempted to put our money on the Spaniards.
Spain will feel they made a statement of intent with their thrashing of Sloavakia at the Euro 2020, but Croatia is another story altogether.
With some of their key players on the wrong side of 30, Germany is able to play an ageing style that relies heavily on counter-attacks.
We feel that 13/10 for the Blazers avoiding defeat in normal time is fair value for our first Croatia vs Spain prediction.
Croatia vs Spain: Story
Croatia is looking to grow into a team that is capable of winning games in this tournament. After a first half of little attacking creativity, Croatia improved against England and earned a draw. Against the Czech Republic they were stirred into life in the second half with their opening goal, then romped past Scotland to advance out of Group G. However, history is on their side as they have never lost in a European knockout stage game.
Spain’s route at Euro 2016 has been similar. Poor performances in draws against Sweden and Poland were followed by a performance more reminiscent of the Spanish side when they beat Slovakia 5-0 to progress to the next round. However, they remained undefeated – having won on all three occasions where the trophy changed hands.
Croatia
Spain needed to win by three goals in the final round of group play to earn a place in the knockout stage. However, this was only a hypothetical situation. La Roja had five goals against Slovakia. Had Sweden not beaten Poland with a goal in the dying moments, Spain could have been eliminated from Group B and would have faced Ukraine in Round of 16s. It would, of course, have been an easier match-up than Croatia.
Sergio Busquets, who had been out injured for the match with Slovakia, was key in their victory. The reigning Spanish champion brought the team together. The Spaniards kept their ball possession to a high standard, but finally began to create goal-scoring chances time and again.
Croatia News
Croatia started this tournament with a defeat, losing to England (0-1), then surprised the Czech Republic with a 1-1 tie. However, our best seen their potential and strength in last round 3-1 victory over Scotland. Though Croatia is missing a lot of key players, they still have several top level players including Modric, Kovacic, Brozovic and Perisic. Croatia played a well-calmed game, waiting for the mistakes of their opponents, using their chances in an excellent way. They will attempt to win in a similar fashion against Spain.
Why you should back Croatia
Recognizable for his exceptional talent and selflessness, Croatian midfielder Luka Modric is a key player in the team’s success. He was highly instrumental to their victory over Scotland, and he will continue to play as though the country depends on his performance. The 2018 Ballon d’Or award winner scored this go-ahead goal Wednesday with a mind-bending shot off the outside of his foot, and at 35 years old he is still second to none in terms of field vision. With La Liga runner-up Real Madrid last season he created more than three shots per game through his playmaking abilities. Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic and Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic join captain Luka Modric to form one of the world’s best midfield units.
Midfielders will have plenty of options up top, though all-time top scorer Ivan Perisic is out after testing positive for COVID-19. That means Ante Rebic, who scored 11 goals with AC Milan last season, should take on the attacking responsibility. Croatia’s ready to use its physicality to counter Spain. There is some concern about the Croatian defense, but last season they only allowed six goals in eight games. Spain has been scoring at an all or nothing pace, with 18 goals in just four matches and seven in their other 10 over the past 14 matches.
Spain
Croatia are unlikely to repeat their success three years ago, when they reached the final at the World Cup in Russia. But Croatia shouldn’t be written off either. The Croatian team and their players are experienced, have extra-class performers, Rebic Brozovic Kovačić and of course Luka Modrić they are capable to compete on equal terms with any of the current European favorites.
The Croats had a rough start in the group stage, scoring only one point against England and Czech Republic. In the Round of 16, Croatia had a difficult time beating Scotland at home. Luckily, Croatia was able to make it through in the last round when they beat Scotland in Glasgow in their first ever away game with a scoreline of 1-1. Halfway through the second half, Luka Modrić scored a goal and assisted Ivan Perisic on another. Croatia ultimately won 3-1. This is just one of the many reasons why we’re excited to see what he can do for the team during knock-out rounds in international play.
Spain News
Many were surprised when the Spaniards were convincing in their 5-0 victory against Slovakia.But, Slovakia played a lot of mistakes in the game with Spain and the result is what it ends up being. The Spanish had lots of initiatives from the beginning but their attacks just did not go as planned. One of Luis Enrique’s strongest qualities is the excellent defence he offers, which has shown in four consecutive clean sheets for his team.
Why you should back Spain
The Spaniards have yet to lose a game in their last 11, and they’ll try to maintain that 12-0 streak against Slovakia. In November, Spain defeated Germany by an eye-popping score of 6-0 in the Nations League. The scoring is there for sure. While Captain Busquets returned for the final group stage game COVID-19 isolation, we can’t forget about Pablo Sarabia’s impact on Spain’s victory. He scored one goal and set up another during his appearance in the match.
Spanish supporters have all but closed the book on Alvaro Morata as the striker struggles with his form. Although he has managed to score 17 goals in Juventus’s last campaign, that’s after missing a number of chances. Gerard Moreno has been involved in the most goals (5) and assists (5) for Spain amongst players since joining the team in October 2019. Ferran Torres scored a goal just 44 seconds after coming off the bench for Spain on Wednesday. Spain has also been able to maintain a clean sheet in four of its past five matches.
Betting odds and tips for Croatia vs Spain
The historic status and recent five goal win has made Spain a strong favorite for the upcoming game, but Croatia are an experienced opponent with their disciplined play that can easily surprise the Spaniards. It is not right to judge the Spanish dominance against Slovakia as they will now face a team of a completely different level. We predict that the Croatian won’t let the Spaniards get in their way of controlling ball, but they are unlikely to allow too much at home and will certainly be without dangerous counterattacks. The match could go to extra time and beyond, so you should be ready for a long day.
Mightytips provides long-term analysis, including the latest Croatia vs Spain preview and 70 betting sites to help you choose your best odds from among them.
Despite Spain’s seemingly one-sided win against Croatia, they can’t assume that their struggles are over. Croatia will make this tough for them. Spain 2-1 Croatia.
Croatia Predicted XI (4-3-3): Dominik Livakovic; Josko Gvardiol, Domagoj Vida, Duje Caleta-Car, Sime Vrsaljko; Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric; Nikola Vlasic, Bruno Petkovic, Ante Rebic.
Spain Predicted XI (4-3-3): Unai Simon; Jordi Alba, Pau Torres, Aymeric Laporte, Cesar Azpilicueta; Sergio Busquets, Koke, Pedri; Gerard Moreno, Dani Olmo, Alvaro Morata.
The 18’s Croatia vs Spain Prediction
- Algorithm: Spain 3-2 Croatia
- Travis: Spain 1-0 Croatia
- Connor: Spain 2-1 Croatia
- David: Croatia 1-0 Spain
- Grant: Croatia 2-1 Spain
- Marz: Croatia 2-0 Spain
Croatia possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Gvardiol; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Vlasic, Petkovic, Rebic
Spain possible starting lineup:
Simon; Azpilicueta, Laporte, Torres, Alba; Pedri, Busquets, Koke; Sarabia, Morata, G Moreno
Croatia vs Spain match odds
- Croatia: +500
- Spain: -167
- Draw: +270
- Total: 2.5
- Over 2.5: +100
- Under 2.5: -125
Moneyline pick
The Round of 16 will be a test of just how important recent form is. Spain, in their final game against Russia before the knockout stage, delivered on that point emphatically. They not only maintained possession of the ball throughout Slovakia, but they also took their chances by scoring a goal. For this Spain team, their lack of an undisputed striker is the most important thing.
Though game against France helped put Spain on the path to victory, it’s still up in the air whether or not they have an attack. While they put five past Slovakia and had an xG over 3, Alvaro Morata was not one of the goalscorers — but he had a penalty stopped by Martin Dubravka. Ferran Torres, their most lively attacker in the Euros so far, has yet to start a game.
Croatia is talented, but they haven’t been performing well. They were able to beat Scotland 3-1 in a game where their xG was just 0.7. The only situation where Croatia has an xG above 1 was with the Czech Republic which led to a draw (1-1).Like Germany, whose title hopes could be everything from last game of the season should they win their first match against Northern Ireland, Croatia’s chances would immediately increase if Luka Modric continued to look like his old self. Against Scotland, it appeared he was rounding back into form in midfield and when playing with a higher level of intensity.
Spain will be favored in this match, but the lack of cutting edge could make it difficult for them to turn heavy possession into production. It’s unlikely that anything is decided before 90 minutes.
Over/Under pick
The two games involving Spain and Croatia that resulted in over-time, with both teams going one and two for over/under.he Spanish side benefitted from the worst-performed game in Group Stage when their match against Slovakia ended 9-1 (three goals coming from Martin Ødegaard). In Croatia’s 3-1 win over Scotland, the highlight came from an improbable Scottish goal from range and a moment of Modric magic. These are not likely to be repeated instances.
So far, Croatia have created 2.18 expected goals in the Euros which is an accurate representation of a team with next to no attacking threat. Spain meanwhile, have generated 4.1 expected goals but only one goal resulted from that play time. Serbia will be in possession for a good amount of time and try to build methodically against Croatia, but they do not have that strong finisher.
Croatia vs Spain Prediction
Considering their four-game run without a win before beating Scotland, and the fact that three of Croatia’s twelve previous matches resulted in victories, it is worth noting how badly they needed this victory. Note that none of these wins had come against a world-class team.
Their opponents, on the other hand, have lost just one of their preceding 27 games and have allowed only a single goal in five previous matches.
When factoring in the team’s record against their rival, it is apparent that they have a great history of success. On top of this, what you do with fitness should be considered when predicting the outcome of these two teams. Enrique had a young, well-rested squad with good depth at his disposal. Dalic, on the other hand, must rely on an aging and tired crop of players that tends to overuse Modric.
Croatia vs Spain Head-to-Head
Spain has better records against Croatia than their rival, winning four of the eight games they have played. Croatia have three victories on the scoreboard against Spain so far and might try to even the score.
The last meeting between these two teams was in 2018, and it ended with an entertaining 3-2 victory for Croatia. Spain tripped up defensively today, and will need to be more solid this week.
Croatia form guide at UEFA Euro 2020: W-D-L
Spain form guide at UEFA Euro 2020: W-D-D
Conclusion
Throughout the group stage, both of these teams had consecutive morale-boosting victories. We’re waiting with bated breath for their upcoming match as they compete up against each other in the quarterfinals. Although Spain failed to impress during the group stage, they are the bookies’ odds-on favorites.
Croatia has an ability to make this game tight and difficult for Spain, and as a result the outcome of the match is uncertain. Despite Scotland’s loss, Croatia has had difficulty performing at international competitions in the past and Spain should have just enough to make it into quarter-finals with them.
Spain’s mix of youth and experience made themselves known in their dominant play against Slovakia. The Busquets twins from Spain played important roles in the team’s performance on Sunday but will have their work cut out for them against Modric and Kovacic.
Croatia have often played well against Spain and pulled off some brilliant results in the past.Spain are familiar with the Euro experience and have an advantage in this game.
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