Prediction: Croatia vs Scotland

Verdict: Croatia win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to make it back-to-back Nations League victories on Saturday evening, Croatia will welcome a struggling Scotland to Zagreb.

Croatia

Starting with the hosts, enduring what was a public Nations League nightmare over the summer as they failed to find a route to the knockout stage, Croatia opened their Nations League adventure with plenty of pressure on their shoulders. However, despite getting proceedings underway with a 2-1 loss at the hands of Portugal on September 5th, Zlatko Dalic’s men claimed a much-welcomed boost last time out. Eventually snatching a 1-0 victory at home against Poland, the former World Cup bronze medalists will be desperate to use that rugged performance as a platform to build on. Smelling what is a golden opportunity when they return to Zagreb on Saturday evening, Croatia will be looking to cash in on a Scotland squad that find themselves at the heart of what has become a public crisis.

Team News

Despite recent reports over a potential injury issue, Croatia have confirmed that Josip Sutalo has trained with the rest of the squad and is free to feature on Saturday evening. However, delaying his arrival date due to personal reasons, it remains to be seen if Manchester City ace Mateo Kovacic will feature in midweek.

Still showing no signs of hanging up his international boots, former Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric will earn a 181st international cap here. Returning from a mild knock last month, Hoffenheim marksmen Andrej Kramaric should lead Croatia’s attack.

Scotland

As for the visitors, while Scotland might have had plenty of excitement in their camp prior to the summer’s European Championships, Steve Clarke’s side broke a string of unwanted records. Getting their EURO 24 adventure underway on June 14th with a 5-1 drumming at the hands of host nation Germany, there is a huge amount or pressure on the former Kilmarnock boss. Losing each of their opening two Nations League showdowns last month and getting proceedings underway with an infamous 3-2 defeat at home against Poland on September 5th, Scotland find themselves at the heart of a major struggle. In fact, along with registering just a single point from any of their previous five competitive matchups across all competitions, Saturday’s guests have also registered just a sole win from any of their last 14 appearances.

Team News

In what was a real double blow earlier in the week, the duo of Celtic defender Greg Taylor and first choice shot-stopper Angus Gunn have both withdrawn from Scotland’s squad. With Clarke electing to make some real alterations, the likes of West Ham midfielder Andy Irving have been called up for a first time.

All still dealing with respective injury issues, the Premier League-based trio of John McGinn, Nathan Paterson and Kieran Tierney will not feature over the next week. Opening his Nations League account with back-to-back strikes against Portugal and Poland last month, Scott McTominay could play a leading role.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Croatia and Scotland last met back at the delayed EURO 20 tournament, the Blazers collected a 3-1 victory at Hampden.
• Croatia’s 1-0 victory against Poland last time out drew a line under their four-match winless run.
• Scotland have collected just a single point from any of their previous five competitive appearances across all competitions.
• The Tartan Army have collected just a sole victory from any of their previous 14 consecutive appearances across all formats.
• Scotland have recorded just a single competitive clean sheet over the past 13 months.

Conclusion

Claiming what was a much-welcomed boost last month as they snatched a 1-0 victory at home against Poland, Croatia will be demanding a repeat performance here. Landing a 3-1 romp when they travelled to Glasgow back in the summer of 2021, the Blazers should be smelling a real opportunity on Saturday evening. Meeting a Scotland squad that have registered just a single win from any of their previous 14 appearances across all competitions, we are backing a home victory this weekend.

Verdict: Croatia win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster