Croatia vs France Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Croatia and France are doing battle in the UEFA Nations League in 2025 with the same managers, Zlatko Dalic and Didier Deschamps, who coached the 2018 FIFA World Cup final.
Kick-off date/time: Thursday 20th March, 2025: UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am
How to watch on TV: UK – TBC / US – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – TBC / US – FOX Sports streaming platforms
Croatia Preview: Lack of evolution
Zlatko Dalic is indeed in charge of a Croatia side whereby it is not just in the dugout where perhaps they are lacking evolution with the Croatian squad continuing to be very recognisable due to it being filled with players that have been in the squad for years.
They were knocked out in the group stages of UEFA EURO 2024 and were underwhelming in the league phase of this season’s UEFA Nations League, too, eventually squeezing through in second spot, just one point ahead of Scotland.
France Preview: Declining quality
Didier Deschamps has announced that he will leave his role as France head coach at the end of their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign but there has to be suggestions that he may not make it as far as that with France continually underwhelming with not that much success to show for it.
In six major international tournaments, one of which they have hosted, they have won one. That is obviously very impressive but given the riches that have been at Deschamps’ disposal, it has to be asked whether he has earned as much grace as he is receiving.
Croatia Team News: Coming soon
Coming soon
Predicted XI (X-X-X-X): Coming soon
Unavailable: Coming soon
Questionable: Coming soon
France Team News: Coming soon
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Predicted XI (X-X-X-X): Coming soon
Unavailable: Coming soon
Questionable: Coming soon
Key Stats
- This is the first international tournament knockout tie between these teams since France defeated Croatia 4-2 in the final of the 2018 World Cup.
- Croatia have won only one of their previous ten matches against France (D3 L6). However, the sole victory did come in their most recent encounter (W 1-0 away, June 2022, UNL).
- Excluding penalty shoot-outs, Croatia have lost only two of their last 13 UEFA Nations League matches (W7 D4).
- Croatia are unbeaten in their last five UEFA Nations League matches in Croatia (W3 D2).
- France have won two and drawn one of their previous three away matches against Croatia.
- France are unbeaten in their last five UEFA Nations League matches with four wins and one draw.
- France won all their three away matches in their 2024/25 UEFA Nations League group.
- France have lost only one of their last 11 UEFA Nations League matches outside of France (W8 D2).
- France have lost only two of their last 15 international matches (W8 D5).
Croatia vs France Prediction
Croatia were not impressive to reach this stage of the competition and the bare minimum was to finish above both Scotland and Poland. They face a France side that lost 3-1 at home to Italy in September but returned the favour with the same scoreline in the reverse fixture in November to finish above the Azzurri. Deschamps’ announcement may well give France a bit more freedom to play with and they remain firm favourites for this one over two legs.
Croatia vs France Tip: Double chance – France to win or draw
