Following their opening defeats, Croatia meet Albania in a must-win Group B clash at UEFA Euro 2024.
Victory could see Croatia or Albania go second if can better Italy’s goal difference before the Italians meet Spain 30 hours later.
Team News
Croatia have no fresh injury concerns but manager, Zlatko Dalic could rotate his squad after an embarrassing 3-0 loss to Spain.
Albania could be without forward, Jasir Asani after he had suffered an ankle injury during their defeat to Italy.
When is Kick-Off?
Croatia face Albania at Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, Germany at 3pm CEST (2pm UK Time) on Wednesday 19 June, live on ITV1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Croatia’s first meeting against Albania at a major tournament.
- Albania are facing Croatia for the first time in any competition.
- Croatia have never lost their opening two games at a major tournament as an independent country.
- Albania are yet to draw a single match at UEFA European Championship.
Prediction
Following their flat opening performance against Spain with little quality and frankly outplayed from first to last whistle, Croatia need to buckle up and bring more fight plus end product otherwise they will have a tough task against Italy in their final group match.
Albania simply lacked much end product in their defeat to Italy after a cracking start and were undone by two moments of poor marking, but they will certainly have confidence from that performance to bring into this game where they are again underdogs.
In fact if Albania can score first then I would expect them to get something because Croatia don’t look like the classy team of recent tournaments, although Croatia’s experience could be the difference if they turn up ready to deliver a strong performance.
Prediction: Croatia 1-1 Albania
Result: Croatia 2-2 Albania
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