Prediction: Croatia to win 3-0
Best Odds: 18/1
The Czech Republic and Croatia will lock horns with each other in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification this week. The UEFA Group L match between Ivan Hasek’s side and Zlatko Dalic’s team will be held at the Fortuna Arena in Prague and is scheduled to kick off at 7:45pm on Thursday.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is one of the major footballing nations in Europe and tend to do well in qualifiers. They have not qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals since 2006, but they have played in the UEFA European Championships since 1996. The Czech Republic reached the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2020 and the semi-finals at UEFA Euro 2004.
Ivan Hasek’s side have done well in UEFA Group L so far. The Czech Republic have picked up 12 points from five matches and are level on points with leaders Croatia, who have played four games.
The Czech Republic will head into the World Cup qualifier against Croatia this week on the back of a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia in a friendly international match in September. It followed a 2-0 win against Montenegro away from home in a FIFA World Cup Qualifying – UEFA game.
Team News:
The Czech Republic are likely to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation against Croatia. Matej Kovar will be in goal for the home team and will have Martin Vitík, Robin Hranac and Vaclav Jemelka in front of him in defence. Martin Cedidla, Michal Beran, Alex Kral and David Jurasek will be the four midfielders. Vaclav Cerny and Michal Sadílek will be two attacking midfielders. Tomas Chory will lead the line for the Czech Republic.
Croatia
Croatia have established themselves as a major power in football in recent weeks. Not only are the Checkered Ones expected to qualify for major international competitions with ease, but they are also backed by many football fans to reach the semi-finals and the finals and perhaps even to win them.
The Blazers reached the final of the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia and reached the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar. Croatia also finished second in the UEFA Nations League in 2023.
Croatia are at the top of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group L at the moment with 12 points from four matches, level on points with second-placed, the Czech Republic, who have played five games.
Team News:
Croatia are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against the Czech Republic. Dominik Livakovic will be the goalkeeper, with Kristijan Jakic, Josip Sutalo, Duje Caleta-Car and Josip Stanisic in front of him in defence. Luka Modric and Petar Sucic will be deployed in defensive midfield. Mario Pasalic, Andrej Kramaric and Ivan Perisic will be the three attacking midfielders. Franjo Ivanovic will lead the line for Croatia.
Key Factors to Consider
- The Czech Republic have won 3 of their last 5 matches in all competitions.
- The Czech Republic have scored 7 goals in 5 games against Croatia.
- The Czech Republic have drawn 3 and lost 2 of their 7 games against Croatia.
- Croatia have 4 of their last 5 matches in all competitions.
- Croatia have scored 13 goals in 5 matches against the Czech Republic.
Conclusion
Croatia are in better form than the Czech Republic and have a better team. Even though they are the visiting side, they are very likely to pick up all three points from this particular 2026 World Cup qualifier.
Prediction: Croatia to win 3-0
Best Odds: 18/1
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