Match preview
When France hosts Croatia at the Stade de France on Monday night, the reigning world champions will be looking to climb out of last place in League A Group 1 of the UEFA Nations League.
On Friday night, Les Bleus were held to a 1-1 draw by Austria, while Zlatko Dalic’s team finally got off to a winning start by defeating Denmark 1-0.
Whether it’s fatigue from a long and arduous domestic season or something deeper within Didier Deschamps’ ranks, France is struggling at the moment, and they’re on the verge of going four Nations League games without a win.
The world and Nations League champions are in fourth place after taking just two points from the first nine games, which might lead to an unexpected demotion to League B if their fortunes do not improve, not to mention a drop in morale before defending their global crown.
Before their trip to Copenhagen, Croatia had the same dismal record as France, and it took a couple of crucial midfield substitutions to turn the game in Croatia’s favor, with Denmark eventually losing 1-0.
The 2018 World Cup runners-up are now in third place in the division, but a loss at Saint-Denis will plunge them back into the relegation zone. However, they have already held France to a stalemate this month and should fancy their chances of doing so again.
France vs Croatia H2H
France and Croatia have faced off nine times with France winning six times and Croatia having won any single match..
| France | 9 MATCHES (3 DRAW) | Croatia |
| 6 | Win | 0 |
| 18 | Goal | 9 |
- Games over 2.5 goals – 6 /9
- Both teams scored -6/9
France vs Croatia form guide
France’s Last 5 – WWLDD
| 10/06/22 | Austria | 1-1 | France |
| 06/06/22 | Croatia | 1-1 | France |
| 02/06/22 | France | 1-2 | Denmark |
| 09/03/22 | France | 5-0 | South Africa |
| 25/03/21 | France | 2- 1 | Ivory coast |
Croatia’s Last 5 -DWLDW
| 10/06/22 | Denmark | 0-1 | Croatia |
| 04/06/22 | Croatia | 1-1 | France |
| 01/06/22 | Croatia | 0-3 | Austria |
| 29/03/22 | Croatia | 2 – 1 | Bulgaria |
| 24/03/22 | Croatia | 1- 1 | Slovenia |
Key facts
- France has scored 10 goals and conceded 5 in their last 5 matches
- 3 out of France’s last 5 games ended with Over 2.5 Goals
- 3 out of France’s last 5 games Both Teams Scored
- Croatia has scored 5 goals and conceded 6 in their last 5 matches
- 2 out of 5 Croatia’s last 5 games ended with Over 2.5 Goals
- 3 out of 5 Croatia’s last 5 games Both Teams Scored
France vs Croatia team news
While N’Golo Kante and Lucas Hernandez, whose spouse is set to give birth, have left the camp owing to knee injuries.
Mbappe could be ready to start – albeit not for the whole 90 minutes – and a rested Wissam Ben Yedder should strive for some national team play as well.
After losing Ivan Perisic and Josko Gvardiol earlier this month, Croatia had no further injury problems in Copenhagen, although left-backs Borna Barisic and Borna Sosa were also absent on Friday.Modric and Kovacic should be ready to go right away, while Ante Budimir, who is battling Andrej Kramaric for the striker position, might be as well.
France vs Croatia prediction
With Modric and Kovacic directing play from the midfield, Deschamps’ side will still have a tough time, but Croatia’s frontline isn’t all that frightening, so as experts we’ll be picking:
- Total match cards – Over 3.5 @ 1.79
- 2-3 multi goal @ 1.85
*DISCLAIMER: Odds are subject to change
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