Croatia v Spain: Preview, expected line-ups, stats and where to watch

Preview for Croatia v Spain

Croatia will attempt to recover from a record-breaking defeat when they welcome world champions Spain to Split in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday night.

Slaven Bilic’s side were thrashed 7-0 by England on Saturday, while Spain maintained their perfect start to League A Group 3 with a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic.

Croatia could hardly have endured a more damaging evening when they welcomed England on Saturday.

It was the heaviest defeat in Croatia’s history and the first time the national team had ever conceded five or more goals in a home match.

Croatia had begun the campaign positively with a 2-1 victory away against the Czech Republic, but successive defeats have left them third in Group 3 on three points.

They are three points behind second-placed England and six adrift of Spain, while the Czech Republic remain bottom without a point.

Spain could scarcely be in better form.

Luis de la Fuente’s team have won each of their opening three Nations League matches, beginning with a 3-2 victory over England at Wembley before dismantling Croatia 4-1.

La Roja then made it three wins from three by beating the Czech Republic 3-1 in Oviedo on Saturday.

Spain have now won 10 consecutive matches across all competitions and are unbeaten in their last 41 games.

De la Fuente’s side are also unbeaten in 16 successive Nations League matches when penalty shootouts are excluded, representing the longest such sequence since the competition was introduced.

The UEFA Nations League Table

Team News for Croatia v Spain

Croatia did at least emerge from the defeat to England without any significant new injury problems.

However, Bilic has several selection decisions to make following the nature of Saturday’s performance.

Luka Vuskovic, Marco Pasalic, Josip Misic, Petar Sucic and Martin Pongracic are all at risk of suspension if they receive another booking.

Pongracic was not included in the matchday squad against England, while Lovro Majer, Ante Budimir and Dion Drena Beljo were also omitted.

Spain have no fresh concerns surrounding Yamal or Alex Baena after both were replaced at half-time against the Czech Republic, with the changes made for tactical reasons rather than because of injury.

Pau Cubarsi was rested completely on Saturday but should be available to return to the defence in Split.

De la Fuente is already without Ferran Torres, Nico Williams and Alex Grimaldo after the trio withdrew from the squad.

Expected line-ups for Croatia v Spain

Croatia: Livakovic; Smolcic, Sutalo, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Modric, Kovacic; Ivanovic, M. Pasalic, Vlasic; Matanovic.

Spain: Simon; Fresneda, Cubarsi, Huijsen, Cucurella; Lopez, Zubimendi, Pedri; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Munoz.

Recent Form & Stats for Croatia v Spain

• Croatia suffered the heaviest defeat in their history when they lost 7-0 to England on Saturday.
• Bilic’s side have conceded 11 goals across their last two Nations League matches.
• Croatia have shipped 12 goals in their opening three games in the competition this season.
• Spain have won all three of their Nations League matches, scoring 10 goals.
• La Roja have won 10 consecutive matches across all competitions.
• Spain are unbeaten in their last 41 matches across all competitions.
• De la Fuente’s side are unbeaten in 16 successive Nations League games, excluding penalty shootouts.
• Spain have won their last four meetings with Croatia, including a 4-1 victory on September 29.

Where to Watch Croatia v Spain: TV and online streams

Croatia v Spain kicks off at 7:45pm BST on Tuesday, October 6 at the Stadion Poljud in Split. The match will be available to watch live in the UK through Amazon Prime Video on a pay-per-view basis.

Prediction for Croatia v Spain

The last thing Croatia would have wanted after conceding seven goals against England is a meeting with a Spain side currently scoring freely against almost everyone they face.

Bilic should demand a far more disciplined performance after Saturday’s humiliation, and Croatia are unlikely to leave themselves quite as exposed as they did against the Three Lions.

Even so, their defensive problems are impossible to overlook. Spain scored four times in the reverse fixture and have now reached 10 goals after only three Nations League matches.

Croatia

0 – 3

Spain

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