France vs Croatia Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | UEFA Nations League

France vs Croatia Preview

• Tournament: UEFA Nations League
• Date: Sunday, Mar 23
• Kick-off Time: 07:45 pm GMT
• Venue: Stade de France, France

France's national football team will welcome Croatia in the 2nd leg of the quarter-final clash of the Nations League campaign at the Stade de France. Both teams had a polar opposite run in the Nations League campaign but Croatia is expected to carve out a win.

Following their disappointing run in the European Championships, France's national football team made a decent start in the Nations League this year by topping its respective group. Les Blues sustained a 2-0 defeat in the first leg and could fail to secure their second Nations League trophy under Deschamps. They will need at least a two-goal victory to advance to the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Croatia's national football team started their Nations League campaign on a mixed note and will endeavor to make the most of their two-goal advantage over France. The Blazers should be able to hold out a draw in this tie.

France Team News

France will be without the services of Marcus Thuram due to an injury. Didier Deschamps has a majority of stars available for this crucial game against Croatia. Once again, France captain Kylian Mbappe is expected to lead his side in a major international fixture.

Croatia Team News

Meanwhile, for Croatia, midfielders Luka Sucic and Lovro Majer have been ruled out as well as attacker Igor Matanovic due to respective injuries. Ivan Perisic is expected to start in the attack alongside Andrej Kramaric and Martin Baturina. Franjo Ivanovic and Toni Fruk have both earned their first international call-ups.

France vs Croatia Predicted Lineups

France predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Maignan

Defenders: Kounde, Konate, Saliba, Hernandez

Midfielders: Tchouameni, Rabiot

Forwards: Dembele, Olise, Mbappe; Kolo Muani

Croatia predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Goalkeeper: Livakovic

Defenders: Juranovic, Caleta-Car, Sutalo, Gvardiol

Midfielders: Kovacic, Modric, P. Sucic

Forwards: Perisic, Kramaric, Baturina

France vs Croatia Head-to-Head

The two sides have faced off only 11 times, with France winning only six of those games. Croatia has secured two wins whereas the remaining three games ended in a draw.

Last five matches result:

Key Players to Watch in France vs Croatia

Kylian Mbappe (France)

Real Madrid attacker Kylian Mbappe was not included during the last international break and received his first call-up following his move to Santiago Bernabeu last summer. He has scored 31 goals in all competitions and aims to replicate the form internationally.

Ivan Perisic (Croatia)

PSV winger and Croatia’s all-time leading goalscorer heads into what is likely his final international tournament with the national team. The 36-year-old legend bagged a goal in the reverse fixture against France.

France vs Croatia Prediction

France's national football team has had a mixed run in their Nations League campaign, as they sustained a 2-0 defeat to Croatia in the reverse fixture this week. Les Bleus are the highest-ranked European nation in world football but could exit out of the Nations League if they don’t secure a win with a three-goal margin.

Croatia's national football team made a brilliant run in the Nations League campaign despite being unbeaten in their last three games before winning against France. Zlatko Dalic’s camp will be bracing themselves for a spot in the semi-finals and will be looking to stun France on their home ground.

Predicted Score: France 1-1 Croatia

Where to Watch France vs Croatia Live?