Croatia meet Scotland in a crucial League A1 clash in 2024-25 UEFA Nations League.
Victory could put Croatia top before Portugal play Poland in the evening kick-off.
Scotland can move off the foot of the group table with a win by two goals or more, ahead of Poland’s match.
Team News
Croatia will be without Dominik Kotarski and Marin Pongracic due to injury.
Scotland will be without first-choice goalkeeper, Angus Gunn due to a muscle injury, which forced him to withdraw with Robby McCrorie called up as his replacement.
Greg Taylor and Lawrence Shankland are too sidelined through injury, with Jack MacKenzie and Kevin Nisbet named as their respective replacements.
When is Kick-Off?
Croatia host Scotland on Saturday 12 October at Stadion Maksimir at 6pm CEST (5pm UK Time), live on Viaplay YouTube channel in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Croatia’s first Nations League meeting against Scotland.
- Scotland are yet to lose away to Croatia in Zagreb (W1, D1).
- All six of Croatia’s meetings against Scotland have come in this century.
- Croatia have scored four goals without conceding at home in all competitions in 2024 (W2).
- Scott McTominay has scored in both of Scotland’s two group matches in this season’s competition (L2).
Prediction
Although they are currently lacking the quality to beat top teams, Croatia do have enough talent to beat middling teams so I do expect them to view this as a crucial home game if want to push for a knockout spot.
Scotland though are clearly dangerous on the attack but their defence is their weak point, so a more solid defensive effort is needed here if they want to get anything here but they must be wary of Luka Modric in midfield.
I however don’t see Scotland getting anything here unless they bring their best defensive tactics, but they should look to get a point here if get their strategy right.
Prediction: Croatia 1-1 Scotland