Croatia vs Gibraltar prediction: EUROPE: World Cup – Qualification betting tips on match 2025-10-11 18:45.
[p]Top meets bottom in World Cup qualifying (WCQ) Group L, as Croatia target a return to winning ways when they host Gibraltar.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Croatia were held to a goalless draw by nearest rivals Czech Republic in their last WCQ outing , but a positive result here combined with the Czechs dropping points in their own game may seal qualification. That’s an unlikely scenario though, with Croatia’s group rivals meeting the Faroe Islands. This means a win and maintaining their unbeaten status (W4, D1) will be a top priority for Zlatko Dalić’s side. Facing an international minnow serves as a further confidence boost, especially as the Vatreni have not tasted defeat in their last seven games hosted in Croatia (W6, D1), a run which includes matches against France and Portugal. [/p]
[p]The challenge facing a Gibraltar side ranked 200th in FIFA’s rankings could not be much more daunting then, especially as they are yet to even pick up a single point in Group L after losing five straight games. They had shown some bright form last year when narrowly missing out on automatic promotion to League C in the UEFA Nations League, but it’s all been downhill since then, recently losing 2-0 to New Caledonia in a friendly. Their away form is less than ideal too, as a side who got their first-ever competitive win in 2018 have only ever tasted two away victories in competitive football, with the last coming back in 2020![/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]This is only the second competitive meeting after these two met in the reverse fixture. Croatia won that a whopping 7-0 – the joint-second largest win in their history![/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Croatia haven’t failed to score in a home game since 2023 (W7, D1 since). [/p]
[p]Croatia have scored nine goals across their two Group L home games so far.[/p]
[p]Gibraltar have never beaten a side within FIFA’s top #100. [/p]
[p]Gibraltar haven’t scored a second-half goal in their last seven outings. [/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Croatia legend Luka Modrić has three goal contributions from his last two home outings for Croatia – both Group L matches (G1, A2). Young Manchester United talent, James Scanlon struck Gibraltar’s last goal in WCQ, though he’s yet to be on the winning side when striking for his country (D1, L1). [/p]
[p]Croatia will have to wait for Bayern Munich’s Josip Stanišić to make his return, with Gibraltar heading into this fixture in good health. [/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]We’re backing Croatia to win by at least four goals and continue their unbeaten Group L streak. [/p]
[p][i]Author: Luke Bridle[/i][/p]