Croatia to clinch Euro 2020 qualification versus Slovakia
Croatia vs Slovakia - 16/11/2019
3987
Croatia are one point away from Euro 2020 qualification. Manager Zlatko Dalić has led his team to 14 points from 21 possible. While it hasn’t been a dominate group performance, the Croatians are on the verge of advancing to the tournament finals next summer.
Slovakia could still overtake the Croatians and shock them by winning Group E. Croatia have just one match to go in Group E while the Slovakians will play twice. Dalić’s Croatia are guaranteed a playoff place at the very least, so all is not lost if they fall out of the top two.
Croatia head into Saturday night’s fixture ranked the No. 3 team in the world. That rank has been solidified thanks to a four-match unbeaten run in Euro 2020 Group E qualifying. One of those four victories was a 4-0 win over Slovakia back in September.
Confidence will be high for the Croatians heading into the game after winning by such a large margin away in Trnava.
Slovakia are on an unbeaten run of their own and have not tasted defeat in their last three games. Slovakia defeated group rivals Hungary and Wales before besting Paraguay in an international friendly.
Dalić will be without centre-back pairing Dejan Lovren and Domagoj Vida. The duo is suspended after both being booked against Wales in October. Lovren is a big miss as he is in fine form for Liverpool. Duje Caleta-Car is expected to start in central defence while the other spot is still up for grabs.
The Croatian manager has seen three significant players withdraw from the squad due to injury. Matej Mitrovic, Ivan Rakitic and Andrej Kramaric will miss out on the international break. Dalić does have midfielder Marcelo Brozovic back after suspension.
Slovakia manager Pavel Hapal will be without Norbert Gyomber, who will serve a suspension following his dismissal against Wales in October. Hapal will most likely pair Denis Vavro and Milan Skriniar in central defence.
Laszlo Benes and Adam Zrelak are both out of the team with injuries. Exciting young striker Robert Bozenik is set to start in attack for Slovakia.
Croatia have been the best of a decent group of teams. A single point would give them qualification while a win could give them the group win. Slovakia could play the part of spoiler, however, their previous result is quite telling.
The Slovakians are not up to Croatia’s standards and it will show in Rijeka. Croatia will win and qualify for next summer’s Euro 2020 tournament in a close match. Expect both teams to score and over 2.5 goals with Croatia winning.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
EuQ
453718
1
2 - 1
3.22
9°
1.45
1.45
4.60
7.95
-1
1
1
3 - 1(0 - 1)
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