Croatia vs Albania Preview & Prediction | UEFA EURO 2024 | Group Stage

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These two sides both began their group stage campaign with defeats on Saturday and that does mean both sides desperately need three points in order to set up a grandstand finish in Group B on Monday evening alongside Italy and Spain.

KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Wednesday 19th June, 2024 - UK – 2:00pm / US EST – 9:00am / US PST – 7:00am

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – ITV / US – FOX

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – ITVX / US – VIX

CROATIA PREVIEW: LACKLUSTRE CROATS

There was a worry that the familiarity of the Croatian squad would be an issue as it was more a sign of an ageing unit, rather than a team so good it is untouched from youngsters coming through the ranks. They were blown away in the first-half at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Saturday, eventually losing 3-0 to La Roja.

That said, though, they did create some massive chances and openings in that game. There were times when the likes of Lovro Majer and Mateo Kovacic seemingly had the freedom of Berlin to drive at the Spanish back-line but the profligacy and wastefulness of the Croats, summed up by Bruno Petkovic’s penalty miss in the second-half, was deeply concerning.

ALBANIA PREVIEW: BEING DIFFICULT TO BEAT

Saturday saw the fastest goal ever scored in UEFA European Championship football history when Sassuolo man Nedim Bajrami latched on to Federico Dimarco’s wayward throw-in and lashed an excellent strike into the roof of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s net to give Albania a 1-0 lead over defending champions Italy in just 23 seconds in Dortmund.

Sylvinho’s side found themselves 2-1 down just 15 minutes later, though, with an equalising goal from Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni being followed by his club teammate Nicolo Barella scoring what would prove to be an excellent winner. Albania’s direct style of football caused the Azzurri problems late on and they will aim to recreate that here.

CROATIA TEAM NEWS: SHIFTING KEY POSITIONS

It is expected that Zlatko Dalic will make some changes to his back-line. The poor performance of Marin Pongracic on Saturday means Josko Gvardiol is expected to move into the centre of the defence with Borna Sosa coming in at left-back. In midfield, a sluggish looking Marcelo Brozovic is expected to be replaced by Luka Sucic.

PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Sucic, Kovacic; Majer, Budimir, Kramaric

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE:

ALBANIA TEAM NEWS: AN ATTACKING CHANGE

Sylvinho has been wedded to a 4-2-3-1 system since his appointment and the former Manchester City defender is expected to retain that structure as they take on the Croatians. There is expected to be one change in attack, though, with Arber Hoxha coming in for Taulant Seferi on the left-hand side.

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Strakosha; Hysaj, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Ramadani, Asllani; Asani, Bajrami, Hoxha; Broja

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE:

KEY STATS

• This is the first international match between Croatia and Albania.
• Croatia have never started a EURO final tournament with two successive defeats.
• A defeat for Croatia would see them lose three successive EURO matches for the first time.
• Croatia have never lost successive EURO group stage matches.
• Croatia have never lost their second match in a EURO final tournament (W2 D4).
• Croatia have kept only one clean sheet in their last 13 EURO matches.
• The last time Croatia were in the lead at half time in a EURO match was against Czechia in the group stage at EURO 2016. Their record at half time since then is D5 L2.
• Only one of Croatia’s previous 23 EURO matches has finished without a goal being scored. That was a 0-0 draw against Switzerland in their opening match at EURO 2004.
• Andrej Kramarić celebrates his 33rd birthday on the day of this match. He could become the first Croatian player to make a EURO appearance on his birthday.
• Albania will be the 15th different team that Croatia have faced in a EURO final tournament match.
• Albania have scored the first goal in their last two EURO matches.
• Albania have scored in the first half of their last two EURO matches.
• None of Albania’s previous four EURO matches finished without a goal being scored.
• Albania have won only one of their previous four EURO matches (L3).
• Elseid Hysaj is the only player to have made an appearance in each of Albania’s previous four EURO matches.

CROATIA VS ALBANIA PREDICTION

There is a chance this is quite an entertaining game. As mentioned, Croatia, despite their hammering, did actually create quite a few chances against Spain and will fancy their chances of doing so against weaker opposition in Albania this time around. Albania, though, will look to be a bit similar in terms of their directness to what the Spanish did to Croatia and will fancy their chances of at least scoring, too. Croatia remain favourites but another result + BTTS bet involving Albania looks like good value.

CROATIA VS ALBANIA TIP: CROATIA TO WIN & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE