Prediction: Croatia vs Spain

Verdict: Croatia double chance

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster

With the 2023 Nations League trophy up for grabs on Sunday night, Croatia and Spain will meet at the De Kuip in Rotterdam this weekend.

Croatia

Starting with Croatia, putting in another stunning display earlier in the week as they eventually snatched an action-packed 4-2 victory against the Netherlands in Rotterdam, Croatia have only continued on their history-making flurry. Clinching a famous World Cup bronze medal finish out in Qatar over the winter and only continuing to gain a string of plaudits from across the footballing globe, Zlatko Dalic’s side now have their sights firmly set on lifting a first piece of international silverware on Sunday night. Cementing their spot as one of Europe’s elite over the past five years, the Blazers have now lost just one of their last 16 straight appearances across all completions over the past 12 months. With their extended purple patch highlighted by a remarkable World Cup victory against South American icons Brazil, Croatia should be smelling the chance to make another statement here.

Team News

Once again finding the net against Holland earlier in the week and now notching nine strikes in his last 13 appearances for club and country, Hoffenheim ace Andrej Kramaric will spearhead Croatia’s attack on Sunday night.

Likewise, still going strong at the age of 37 and with no intention of retiring from international duties, Luka Modric will once again partner Mateo Kovacic in the middle of the park. Impressing off the bench in midweek, Dinamo Zagreb’s Bruno Petkovic will be hoping for a full recall.

Spain

As for Spain, managing to snatch a stunning last-gasp winner against reigning European champions Italy in midweek, La Roja will be desperate to use Thursday’s performance as a platform to build on. However, still trying to find some much-needed stability since appointing Luis de la Fuente earlier in the year, the Reds have still recorded just a pair of wins from their previous six appearances across all competitions. Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny following their World Cup Round of 16 exit at the hands of Morocco, the European icons have certainly shown some extended issues at the back. Including an infamous 2-1 defeat against Japan out in the Middle East six months ago, it is worth highlighting that Spain have mustered just a sole clean sheet on their six-match inconstant spell. Despite opening Sunday’s final in Rotterdam tipped as a standout contender, there is no doubt that the former world champions will face a rugged test here.

Team News

Once again coming off the bench and bagging the winner against Italy a few days ago, Espanyol marksman Joselu could be handed a full recall in Rotterdam. The one-time Newcastle misfit looks set to replace Leeds’ Rodrigo in the final third.

Making his international debut in midweek, 26-year-old Robin Le Normand will once again partner Aymeric Laporte at the heart of De La Fuente’s defence. Cementing his spot as Spain’s number one, Unai Simon will start between the sticks this weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met at the European Championships Round of 16 two years ago, Spain picked up an action-packed 5-3 win.
• However, including their bronze medal finish out in Qatar over the winter, Croatia have lost just one of their last 16 straight appearances across all competitions.
• La Roja have managed to muster just a single clean sheet from any of their previous six attempts.
• Including a semi-final strike in midweek, Hoffenheim striker Andrej Kramaric has nine goals in his last 13 appearances across all competitions.
• Despite their semi-final victory against Italy a few days ago, Spain have won just a pair of their previous six appearances.

Conclusion

Although Croatia might open Sunday’s Nations League final tipped as a real underdog, the Blazers will undeniably be smelling the chance to make another famous statement in Rotterdam. Eventually storming past the Netherlands in midweek after they clinched an action-packed 4-2 victory, the World Cup bronze medalists have cemented their spot as one of Europe’s very elite. Now losing just one of their last 16 straight appearances over the past 12 months, Croatia are now within 90 minutes of getting their hands on a first piece of international silverware. Enjoying what has been a fairytale rise over the past five years, Dalic’s men will certainly prove to be a rugged test for La Roja on Sunday night.

Verdict: Croatia double chance

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster