Croatia vs Czech Republic form
Croatia is certainly the top candidate for the top spot in Group L and the only ticket straight to the 2026 World Cup finals.
In terms of strength in each position, the plaid team cannot be among the elite teams in European football. However, under the leadership of coach Zlatko Dalic, Vatreni has always become a formidable opponent.
The achievement of finishing second at the 2018 World Cup or third at the biggest football festival on the planet 3 years ago is enough to prove the impressive collective strength of the team from the Southern European region.
Despite the golden generation gradually passing the other side of their career, Croatia is still not a name to be underestimated.
At the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League, Dalic's team held star-studded Portugal to a 1-1 draw and made France struggle to reach the semi-finals thanks to a nerve-wracking penalty shootout victory.
Having to stop at the quarter-finals of the Nations League, that arena is certainly not Croatia's number one goal in 2025. The top task of Luka Modric and his teammates must be a ticket to board the train to North America next summer.
To fulfill their wish and avoid unnecessary risks, Croatia needs to finish at the top of the table after the final round of matches taking place in mid-November. This is considered a goal within reach of the reigning third world champions.
In Group L, Croatia will probably only have to compete directly with the Czech Republic. Because the remaining faces such as Montenegro, Faroe Islands or Gibraltar will find it difficult to enter the two-horse race above.
In fact, the Czech Republic has made good use of the encounters with the above-mentioned underdogs to gain maximum points after 3 opening matches. Specifically, the team under the direction of coach Ivan Hasek successively defeated the Faroe Islands 2-1, Gibraltar (4-0) and Montenegro (2-0).
The match at Opus Arena in the early morning of June 10 ( Hanoi time) is considered the first leg of the group stage. The winning team will have a huge advantage in the race to the top of the table. For Croatia, 3 points is definitely the goal that coach Dalic's team is aiming for.
Croatia is preparing very well for the big match. A few days ago, the checkered team won 7-0 in their away match against Gibraltar.
Even though the opponent was a weak and underdog, the exciting start still became a boost to help the home team enter the important match with high excitement.
Croatia vs Czech Republic squad information
Croatia: Coach Dalic has the most satisfactory squad in hand.
Czech Republic: Adam Hlozek's availability is unclear after being injured in the win over Montenegro a few days ago.
Expected lineup Croatia vs Czech Republic
Croatia: Livakovic; Stanisic, Caleta-Car, Sutalo, Gvardiol; Modric, Majer; Baturina, Pasalic, Perisic; Budimir
Czech Republic: Kovar; Coufal, Holes, Krejci, Zeleny; Soucek, Cerv; Cerny, Sulc, Provod; Schick
Prediction: 2-1
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/nhan-dinh-tran-dau-croatia-vs-ch-czech-1h45-ngay-106-cu-but-toc-quan-trong-tren-duong-den-world-cup-141230.html
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