UEFA Nations League: Croatia Can Put Scotland Out of Their Misery

Croatia vs Scotland

Croatia will aim to solidify the second spot in the UEFA Nations League A Group 1 with their second win in a row as they host Scotland in the Maksimir Stadium on Saturday.

After dropping their first game against Portugal, Croatia bounced back with a narrow win against Poland to cap off the previous international break in style. If they lost that game, they would’ve been on the same boat as Scotland, who are last in the group.

Scotland are in a precarious position because they lost their first two games. There’s a huge sense of urgency for them to pull out a result because we’re halfway through the competition.

Steve Clarke’s side cannot afford any other than a win in this fixture. However, the pre-game SBOTOP betting odds aren’t optimistic on their chances to do so this weekend.

 

Talking Points

Croatia will benefit from Kovacic’s resurgence

Before defeating Poland last time out, Croatia were winless in their last four games in all competitions (D2, L2), so they’re hoping to create a new winning streak when they host Scotland in Zagreb this weekend.

Luka Modric, despite his advancing age, is doing his best to keep Croatia afloat. The 39-year-old has scored two goals in his last three appearances, including the winner against the Poles.

However, he’ll need help if Croatia are going to make it back to the finals, and the one person we’re looking at is Mateo Kovacic, who is finding his footing with Manchester City.

With Rodri sidelined with a torn ACL, Pep Guardiola has been starting Mateo Kovacic in the middle of the park during Manchester City’s last two Premier League matches. The Sky Blues drew 1-1 with Newcastle United and won 3-2 against Fulham.

Kovacic regained his scoring touch against the Cottagers, as he notched a brace in a 15-minute span. The 30-year-old midfielder now has three league goals for the season, drawing praise from his colleagues.

The former Chelsea man isn’t expected to score for Croatia, but he must hold his ground and complete the simple passes against the pesky Scots alongside Luka Modric and Petar Sucic.

 

Scotland can’t win on offence alone

Scotland have scored three goals so far in this year’s UEFA Nations League, but that wasn’t enough to give them wins over Poland and Portugal.

Scott McTominay (brace) and Billy Gilmour have done their part, but their lack of topnotch quality at the back has been exposed.

Steve Clarke will essentially deploy the same backline against Croatia, with Angus Gunn manning between the sticks and Anthony Ralston, Andy Robertson, Grant Hanley, and Ryan Porteous forming their back four.

Moreover, John McGinn and Scott McKenna will miss this international break due to hamstring injuries, while Che Adams is back with the national team after he was absent in last month’s international break due to a hip injury.

The Torino striker is in fine form because he has hit three goals in his last three appearances. Adams was crucial to Torino’s unexpected rise in Serie A earlier this term.

 

History

Croatia and Scotland will meet for the first time since their group stage matchup in Euro 2020. The Vatreni beat the Tartan Army with a score of 3-1, as Nikola Vlasic, Luka Modric, and Ivan Perisic outscored Callum McGregor.

With one win, one loss, and one draw, Croatia advanced to the knockout stage before losing to Spain in the Round of 16, while Scotland finished last in Group D because they didn’t win a single game.

Croatia were the runners-up in last year’s UEFA Nations League, losing to Luis de la Fuente’s Spain via a penalty shootout.

Scotland, on the other hand, have only been promoted to League A for the first time ever this year after previously languishing in Leagues C and B.

 

Betting Tip

The UEFA Nations League 2024 odds have Croatia as the favourites to win on Saturday. Zlatko Dalic’s side is priced at 1.63, while Scotland are 4.86 underdogs, and a draw is at 3.55 in the 1X2 market.

While both teams can generate UEFA Nations League 2024 highlights this weekend, football fans might not see as many goals as they’d like from this fixture, making alternatives like Under 2.50 at 1.90 and Under 2.25 at 2.20 viable, while Total Goal 2-3 at 1.98 figures to be the middle ground.

On the other hand, a Correct Score of 3-1 in favour of Croatia – the result of their most recent encounter – has a decent 13.50 offer.

   

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