Prediction: France vs Croatia – Betting Tips, Team News, Key Facts

Verdict: Aurelien Tchouameni to be shown a card

Best Odds: 3/1

Bookmaker: Luckster

Seeking a major Nations League comeback on Sunday night, France will welcome Croatia to Paris for their second-leg showdown.

France

Starting with the hosts, while France might have travelled over to the Stadion Poljud earlier in the week looking to lay down an early statement, Didier Deschamps’ men come under real scrutiny. Putting in a toothless performance on foreign soil as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat in Split, the European giants have a real job on their hands when they return to Paris this weekend. Although Les Bleus might have signed off their League A campaign by registering 13 points from their final five appearances, it is fair to say that Didier Deschamps’ squad have shown some inconsistencies extending on from their EURO 24 adventure over in Germany last summer. Eventually crashing out at the semi-final stage following a 2-1 loss against Spain, France will have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders here. It should be highlighted, Deschamps’ men have remarkably won just a pair of their previous six Nations League showdowns in Paris.

France Team News

Falling to that first-leg defeat over in Split on Thursday night, Deschamps could be tempted to make a handful of changes here. Dragged off at half-time in midweek, Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate could be replaced by Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano at the heart of France’s defence.

Likewise, making an immediate impact among Germany’s elite after completing a permeant switch from Crystal Palace last summer, Michael Olise should feature from the start. Settling for a spot on the bench in midweek, AC Milan star Theo Hernandez could be handed a full recall at left-back.

Croatia

As for the visitors, putting in what was a sensational performance on home soil earlier in the week, Croatia will be confident of collecting a heavyweight Nations League scalp here. More than deserving of their 2-0 victory in Split, the Blazers are now sat within touching distance of booking their semi-final spot. Despite travelling to Paris on Sunday night once again pencilled in as a real underdog, Zlatko Dalic’s side will certainly be excited by their most recent trip to Paris. Landing a famous 1-0 win when they last travelled to the French capital for a Nations League battle in the summer of 2022, Croatia are more than capable of springing a major upset this weekend. Although Sunday’s guests might have shown their own inconsistencies since their EURO 24 crisis last summer, Dalic’s side will travel to Paris with the mood in their camp at a real high.

Croatia Team News

While 39-year-old Luka Modric might have played the whole 90 minutes in Split on Thursday night, the former Ballon d’Or winner will lead Croatia out in Paris. Manchester City ace Mateo Kovacic will partner Modric in the middle of the park here.

Bagging a first-leg strike earlier in the week and enjoying what has been a sensational campaign with Spanish outfit Osasuna, Ante Budimir will lead Dalic’s attack. Despite losing his spot as Fenerbahce’s number one choice, Dominik Livakovic will start between the sticks.

France vs Croatia Key Factors to Consider

• When France and Croatia met for their first-leg showdown in Split on Thursday night, the Blazers collected a 2-0 victory on home soil.
• Likewise, Croatia clinched a famous 1-0 win when they travelled to Paris for a Nations League battle in June 2022.
• France have won just a pair of their previous six Nations League showdowns in Paris.
• Les Blues have seen four of their previous five Nations League home fixtures finish with under 2.5 goals.
• Seven of Croatia’s last eight appearances across all competitions have finish with under 3.5 goals.

Conclusion

Slumping to a first-leg 2-0 loss when they travelled over to Split in midweek, France have a real battle on their hands here. Mustering just a pair of victories from any of their previous six Nations League showdowns on home soil, Les Bleus will have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders in Paris. Watching Croatia snatch a famous 1-0 win when they travelled to the French capital back in the summer of 2022, Croatia are more than capable of asking some real questions.

Verdict: Aurelien Tchouameni to be shown a card

Best Odds: 3/1

Bookmaker: Luckster