Czech Republic vs Croatia prediction: EUROPE: World Cup – Qualification betting tips on match 2025-10-08 18:45.
[p]It’s a top-of-the-table clash in World Cup Qualifying (WCQ) Group L, as second-place Czech Republic attempt to regain control of the group against a rampant Croatia.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Despite sitting in second place with a six-point cushion to third, qualifying for a first World Cup finals since 2006 remains a difficult task for the Czech Republic, who know a defeat here will more than likely see them condemned to a play-off spot. Ivan Hašek’s men should be confident of putting up a fight though, having lost only one of their last 11 internationals (W7, D3), but with their sole defeat during that run coming in the form of a 5-1 thrashing against Croatia, the size of this challenge simply cannot be understated, even if they do have a perfect home WCQ record (W2) on their side in this cycle. [/p]
[p]FIFA’s #10-ranked nation Croatia make the relatively short trip north looking to make it five victories from five in this WCQ cycle. Croatia have demolished everyone in their path so far by scoring 17 goals across their four victories to date, including eight without reply away from home (W2). Those four wins have contributed to Croatia boasting a 13-match unbeaten run in WCQ action (W11, D2) – ten of which have been accompanied by a clean sheet – so it’s perhaps unsurprising to see the nation who’ve reached at least the semi-finals of the last two World Cups travel as slight favourites.[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]Croatia remain unbeaten against the Czech Republic after five historical meetings (W2, D3). This will be the sixth touchline meeting between managers Ivan Hašek and Croatia’s Zlatko Dalić, with the Croatian boss winning each of the last three personal meetings.[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]The Czech Republic have scored before the 30th minute in six of their last seven internationals. [/p]
[p]Only one of the Czech Republic’s last 12 internationals stood level at half-time. [/p]
[p]Croatia have won by a 4+ goal margin in three of their four WCQ wins in this campaign.[/p]
[p]Croatia have failed to win seven of their last nine internationals on foreign soil (D3, L4).[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Any Czech Republic success could depend on Václav ÄŚernĂ˝, who has contributed to goals in each of the Czech Republic’s last three WCQ victories (G2, A2). Andrej Kramarić leads the way for Croatia with six goals in four WCQ games this cycle, while he played no small part in their 5-1 reverse triumph over the Czechs (G2, A1).[/p]
[p]Patrik Schick is a notable absentee for the Czech Republic, while Croatia should have a largely unaffected squad to choose from. [/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Given the incredible form of the visitors, and the alarming rate at which they’ve been scoring goals, backing a Croatia win and over 2.5 goals could turn a profit. [/p]
[p]Author: Matthew Billon[/p]