📰 Table Of Contents
Croatia vs Wales: Head to head statistics
[STATISTICS]
Recommended bets
[RECOMMENDED_BETS]
Match preview
Both of these two nations, to relative degrees, have enjoyed unprecedented success in recent years, so what does the future hold for both?
Croatia proved their World Cup Final appearance in 2018 was not a fluke by getting to the semi-finals in Qatar, beating both Japan and Brazil on penalties before defeat to Argentina.
Earlier in 2022, Zlatko Dalić’s side topped their Nations League group, courtesy of four successive wins against Denmark, France and Austria.
So, this summer, the Blazers will face hosts Netherlands in the semi-finals, just two wins away from the country’s first-ever major silverware.
Before then, their latest Euro qualification campaign begins and, given that Croatia have featured at every edition since 2000, most would expect them to top Group D.
However, they do start by facing their two most-likely challengers, meeting Türkiye in Bursa on Tuesday.
As for Wales, they’ve featured at two Euros and a World Cup in the last seven years, despite having not qualified for any of the 27 tournaments beforehand.
Back in November, the Dragons appeared on the world stage for the first time in 64 years, disappointingly scoring just one goal and accumulating just one point in Qatar.
Since that defeat to England in Al-Rayyan, record goal-scorer and cap holder Gareth Bale has retired, very much signalling the start of a new era.
Rob Page’s team are not in good form more broadly, actually winning just two of their last 12 competitive games, both, crucially, coming in the World Cup play-offs.
In this very tough group, the Dragons will, probably, be battling with Türkiye for second, with those two scheduled to meet on 19 June and then on the final matchday in Cardiff in November.
Wales are winless in six meetings with Croatia, including suffering a 2-1 defeat in Osijek during Euro 2020 qualifying.
Most would anticipate a home win at Stadion Poljud, so can this new-look Wales spring a surprise?
Croatia team news
Unlike after their World Cup run in Russia, Croatia have not be hit with numerous retirements, with Dejan Lovren and Šime Vrsaljko the only players to hang up their boots this time.
So, 37 year old Luka Modrić will win his 163rd cap, alongside Mateo Kovačić and Marcelo Brozović in a high-class midfield.
Ivan Perišić scored when Wales last visited Croatia and, having now netted at five consecutive major tournaments, will remain their primary threat.
Petar Musa’s decent form at Benfica this season could earn him an international debut, probably off the bench.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Livaković; Juranović, Sosa, Gvardiol, Barišić; Brozović, Modrić, Kovačić; Pašalić, Kramarić, Perišić.
Wales team news
New captain Aaron Ramsey will lead this new-look, young and inexperienced Wales side.
As mentioned, Gareth Bale and Joe Allen have retired, while Wayne Hennessey, Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson are out injured.
So, Danny Ward will be donning the gloves, with Rob Page likely to deploy a back five, opting for caution in this tough away fixture.
If Ethan Ampadu is drafted into the defence, Joe Morrell will partner Ramsey in midfield, doing the running the skipper isn’t really capable of these days.
Ramsey aside, Kieffer Moore is the top-scorer in this squad with nine, and he’ll be supported by the speedy duo of Harry Wilson and Dan James.
There are seven uncapped players in this squad, namely Tom King, Morgan Fox, Oli Cooper, Luke Harris, Jordan James, Nathan Broadhead and Liam Cullen, all of whom are dreaming of a debut, some more likely than others.
Predicted XI (5-4-1): Ward; Roberts, Ampadu, Rodon, Mepham, N Williams; Morrell, Ramsey, H Wilson, James; Moore.
