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Croatia will invite Scotland to Stadion Maksimir in the group stage of the UEFA Nations League on Saturday. The hosts had a win and loss last month while the Tartan Army began their campaign with back-to-back losses.
The Checkered Ones met Portugal in their campaign opener and suffered a 2-1 loss. They bounced back in their second game three days later, as Luka Modrić's second-half strike helped them record a 1-0 home win over Poland.
The visitors got their campaign underway against Poland and suffered a narrow 3-2 home loss. Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay scored in the second half to help them come back from two goals down but a stoppage-time penalty condemned them to a loss.
Scott McTominay was on the scoresheet again three days later as his seventh-minute goal helped them take the lead against Portugal. Bruno Fernandes equalized in the 54th minute and Cristiano Ronaldo, who was a second-half substitute, scored the match-winner in the 88th minute.
Croatia vs Scotland Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have met six times in all competitions. They have contested these meetings closely, with three games ending in draws and the visitors having a 2-1 lead in wins.
- They last met in the group stage of UEFA Euro 2020, and the Checkered Ones recorded a comfortable 3-1 win.
- Five of the six meetings between the two teams have produced under 2.5 goals, with three clean sheets for the visitors.
- Croatia have won two of their last six home games in the Nations League while suffering three defeats.
- Scotland have won just one of their last six away games in the Nations League, failing to score in four games in that period.
- The visitors have recorded just one win in their last 14 games in all competitions, with that triumph coming in an away game in a friendly against Gibraltar.
Croatia vs Scotland Prediction
Kockasti returned to winning ways after four games in their previous outing and will look to continue that momentum here. They are winless in their two home meetings against the visitors, scoring once while conceding two goals, and will look to improve upon that record.
Dominik Kotarski dropped out of the squad due to a back injury and Nediljko Labrović has been named as his replacement. Josip Juranović and Josip Stanišić are nursing injuries and have not been called up for the games against Scotland and Poland.
Scotland are winless in their last six games across all competitions, suffering three defeats on the trot. They have scored at least once in their last four meetings against the hosts and will look to build on that record.
Steve Clarke has a lengthy absentee list for the match, with the likes of John McGinn, Angus Gunn, Lawrence Shankland, and Kieran Tierney sidelined with injuries.
Considering the home advantage for the Checkered Ones and the visitors' lengthy injury list, the hosts are expected to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Croatia 2-1 Scotland
Croatia vs Scotland Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Croatia to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Ante Budimir to score or assist any time - Yes
