PREVIEW Croatia 3 vs 5 Spain: Predictions, Team News, Betting tips and Odds

Sally Polly June 25, 2021 | 18:13

Croatia and Spain will go head-to-head on 28 June, at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, each tries to claim their victory. Check out the prediction, team news, betting tips and odds of the match in the article below.

Croatia predicted lineup vs Spain, Preview, Prediction, Latest Team News, Livestream, UEFA Euro 2020 Round of 16 - Photo: Alleysport

Croatia vs Spain: Kick-off time

Croatia vs Spain is scheduled at 5pm (UK Time), 28 June, at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen.

What TV channel is it on?

The game is being shown live on UTV with coverage starting at 4.15pm.

Croatia vs Spain: Livestream

The fixture will also be available to stream via the ITV Hub

UEFA Euros 2020 matches will be broadcasted in India by the Sony Entertainment network, and the SONY LIV App, with Croatia taking on Spain on 29th June, 09:30 PM IST . What are your thoughts on Croatian predicted lineup vs Spain?

Croatia vs Spain: Match Preview

Croatia (+350) shined in the last match of the group stage, defeating Scotland at Hampden and propelling themselves into the knockout stage as the second-placed team from Group D. In that 3-1 win, the fans had a chance to see fantastic Luka Modric, who is still one of the best players in the world despite his 35 years. Real’s midfielder scored one of the most beautiful goals of the tournament.

As time goes by, this unit plays better and better, and even though Croatia lacks several superstars from the previous World Cup in Russia, you simply can’t underestimate it. After all, with Modric, we have Kovacic, Brozovic, Perisic, who are all playing for top European teams.

After four matches without a win, the Croats finally triumphed, breaking the streak of low-scoring games. A contest vs. Scotland was only the second in the past eight with over 2.5 goals.

Spain (-115) smashed Slovakia in the third round of the group stage, 5-0, but again, we weren’t thrilled with the way they played. If it weren’t for two cardinal errors made by the Slovakian goalkeeper Dubravka, who knows what might happen.

The Red Fury had an initiative, but their attacks were not effective at all. Spain missed a penalty before the first goal, which was their second at the tournament. Alvaro Morata couldn’t net from the spot this time, and may we add that Juventus’ striker looks terrible at this EURO.

On the other end, the Spanish defense is looking pretty good, keeping clean sheets for the fourth time in the past five games.

Croatia vs Spain: Team News

Mateo Kovacic and Luka Modric have formed a good holding midfield partnership, with Ivan Perisic being one of the star players of a dull Croatian campaign in the Euros. From the last win against Scotland, the Croatian team is ready to face the Red Tigers.

*Nikola Vlasic made an impact on his first start of the tournament, as Croatia beat Scotland 3-1 to qualify for the round of 16. He will hope to keep his place here.

*Dejan Lovren appears to have displaced Duje Caleta-Car at centre-back for Croatia, while Josko Gvardiol ready to continue at left-back if Borna Barisic is still unable to recover from injury.

*Sime Vrsaljko will hope to reclaim his starting spot at right-back after sitting out against Scotland.

*Bruno Petkovic and Andrej Kramaric are in competition to start up front for Croatia.

*Despite a penalty miss, Luis Enrique seems determined to stick with Alvaro Morata up front.

*Koke and Pedri certainly have the edge over Spain's other midfielders heading into the knockout phase.

*Cesar Azpilicueta should keep his place at right-back after replacing Marcos Llorente for their 5-0 win over Slovakia on Wednesday.

*Pau Torres will hope to reclaim his place from Eric Garcia on Monday against Croatia.

*Pablo Sarabia was the WhoScored Man of the Match against Slovakia and he will hope to keep his place in the side ahead of the likes of Gerard Moreno and Ferran Torres.

Croatia squad

Goalkeepers: Lovre Kalinic, Dominik Livakovic, Simon Sluga

Defenders: Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Sime Vrsaljko, Borna Barisic, Duje Caleta-Car, Josip Juranovic, Domagoj Bradaric, Mile Skoric, Josko Gvardiol

Midfielders: Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Marcelo Brozovic, Milan Badelj, Mario Pasalic, Nikola Vlasic, Luka Ivanusec

Forwards: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Ante Rebic, Josip Brekalo, Bruno Petkovic, Mislav Orsic, Ante Budimir

Spain squad

Goalkeepers: David de Gea, Robert Sanchez, Unai Simon

Defenders: Aymeric Laporte, Jose Gaya, Jordi Alba, Pau Torres, Eric Garcia, Diego Llorente, Cesar Azpilicueta

Midfielders: Marcos Llorente, Sergio Busquets, Rodri, Pedri, Thiago, Koke, Fabian

Forwards: Dani Olmo, Mikel Oyarzabal, Gerard Moreno, Alvaro Morata, Ferran Torres, Adama Traore, Pablo Sarabia

Croatia vs Spain: Predictions

Croatia has an excellent defense and likes to play slow and dull matches, keeping the ball in its possession. Pretty much the same could be said for the Spanian team, who stalks the rivals’ mistake, perfectly using the same and scoring goals from those situations. It is expected to be a tight encounter between them.

Spain has an excellent defense and likes to play slow and dull matches, keeping the ball in its possession. Pretty much the same could be said for the Croatian team, who stalks the rivals’ mistake, perfectly using the same and scoring goals from those situations. Our pick for this event is a moderate efficiency, 2 or 3 goals, with the current odds for that +100.

*Croatia kicked in to gear when it mattered most, defeating Scotland 3-1 in their final group game to finish second.

*After back-to-back draws, Spain thrashed Slovakia 5-0 in their final group match. It's hard to know what to really make of them.

*Croatia have won two of the last three meetings between the two nations but sandwiched between those two victories is a 6-0 thumping by Spain.

*It wouldn't be a surprise to see this match require extra-time. Croatia will certainly be a big test for Luis Enrique's Spain side.

Croatia vs Spain: Betting tips

Croatia will be bitterly disappointed at the way their second group match ended against Czech Republic. They were two goals to the good and cruising against an inept Czech Republic side, but a series of events will have left them wondering just what happened.

Croatia fully deserved all three points from this game, but it wasn’t to be and they now head into the final group game against group favourites Spain with the possibility of missing out on automatic qualification. They currently sit 2nd in the group with four points, two points behind Spain at the top and three ahead of Czech Republic. A defeat for Croatia and a win for Czech Republic would see them draw level on points, and it could come down to UEFA fair play regulations. This would occur if Czech Republic and Spain both won 1-0.

Spain have no such worries going into the final group game. They are safely through to the knockout stages and just need to avoid defeat against Croatia in order to top their group.

Croatia have a lot of quality about them, and good teams have proved that they can fight back against Spain’s possession based system with fast counter attacks and taking advantage of their marauding full backs. Ivan Perisic, Ivan Rakitic, and Mateo Kovacic all have the ability to launch these counters and the talent to finish them off, so I expect them to get a goal against Spain. I can’t see them keeping a clean sheet against the high confidence Spain side, so I’m backing Both Teams to Score at 10/11. I think Croatia could hold out for a draw as well, and I’m going for a high scoring 2-2 draw at huge odds of 16/1.

Croatia vs Spain: Head to Head Games

Spain and Croatia met for the last time in the 2018 UEFA Nations League edition. Both teams split a win apiece, but the one Spain posted at home was memorable. The Red Fury smashes Croatia 6-0. World Cup runners-up responded in the second leg, winning 3-2.

Round of 16 Fixtures in full

Saturday, June 26

Wales vs. Denmark, 12 p.m.

Italy vs. Austria, 3 p.m.

Sunday, June 27

Netherlands vs. Czech Republic, 12 p.m.

Belgium vs. Portugal, 3 p.m.

Monday, June 28

Croatia vs. Spain, 12 p.m.

France vs. Switzerland, 3 p.m.

Tuesday, June 29

England vs. Germany, 12 p.m.

Sweden vs. Ukraine, 3 p.m.

Quarterfinals

Friday, July 2

France/Switzerland vs. Croatia/Spain, 12 p.m.

Belgium/Portugal vs. Italy/Austria, 3 p.m.

Saturday, July 3

Netherlands/Czech Republic vs. Wales/Denmark, 12 p.m.

Sweden/Ukraine vs. England/Germany, 3 p.m.

Semifinals

Tuesday, July 6

Winner of QF 2 vs. Winner of QF 1, 3 p.m.

Wednesday, July 7

Winner of QF 4 vs. Winner of QF 3, 3 p.m.

Final

Sunday, July 11

Winner of SF 1 vs. Winner of SF 2, 3 p.m. ET

Group stage results

June 12

Turkey 0, Italy 3

June 13

Wales 1, Switzerland 1

Denmark 0, Finland 1

Belgium 3, Russia 0

June 14

England 1, Croatia 0

Austria 3, North Macedonia 1

Netherlands 3, Ukraine 2

June 15

Scotland 0, Czech Republic 2

Poland 1, Slovakia 2

Spain 0, Sweden 0

June 16

Hungary 0, Portugal 3

France 1, Germany 0

Matchday 2

June 16

Finland 0, Russia 1

Turkey 0, Wales 2

Italy 3, Switzerland 0

June 17

Ukraine 2, North Macedonia 1

Denmark 1, Belgium 2

Netherlands 2, Austria 0

June 18

Sweden 1, Slovakia 0

Croatia 1, Czech Republic 1

England 0, Scotland 0

June 19

Hungary 1, France 1

Portugal 2, Germany 4

Spain 1, Poland 1

Matchday 3

June 20

Italy 1, Wales 0

Switzerland 3, Turkey 1

June 21

North Macedonia 0, Netherlands 3

Ukraine 0, Austria 1

Finland 0, Belgium 2

Russia 1, Denmark 4

June 22

Croatia 3, Scotland 1

Czech Republic 0, England 1

June 23

Slovakia 0, Spain 5

Sweden 3, Poland 2

Portugal 2, France 2

Germany 2, Hungary 2

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