Croatia vs Albania Predictions & Match Preview

Croatia vs Albania Prediction

Croatia are looking for a rebound win after a tough opening-round defeat to Spain. They take on Albania in the first second-round affair on Wednesday afternoon at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg.

• Croatia won five, drew one, and lost one of the last seven games.
• Albania lost three of their last five matches.
• Croatia need to improve their goal difference after a 0-3 defeat to Spain on the opening day.
• Four of Albania’s last five matches produced at least three goals.

Despite not winning a single knockout-phase game in the history of European Championships, Croatia entered this tournament as one of the main dark horses.

Zlatko Dalic’s men earned this tag by reaching back-to-back World Cup semi-finals. Nevertheless, they were horrendous in defence on the opening day, conceding three first-half goals as Spain run riot past them.

Albania got off to a dream start by scoring the quickest goal in a 64-year-old Euro history four days ago against Italy. Nonetheless, Sylvinho’s troops went on to concede two quickfire goals to eventually lose their opener 1-2 at the hands of Azzurri.

Croatia vs Albania Predicted Lineups and Team News

Zlatko Dalic will likely make some changes to the team that fell 0-3 to Spain on Saturday. Martin Erlic could get the nod ahead of Ajax’s Josip Sutalo who made several big errors in the opener.

Ivan Perisic is also a legitimate candidate to start on the left wing after making a strong impression in the second half of the game against Spain.

Croatia (4-3-3): Livakovic – Stanisic, Erlic, Pongrancic, Gvardiol – Modric, Kovacic, Brozovic – Majer, Kramaric, Perisic

Sylvinho does not have too many reasons for changes to the team that gave Italy a game on Saturday.

Albania (4-3-3): Strakosha – Hysay, Djimsiti, Ajeti, Mitaj – Asllani, Ramadani, Bajrami – Asani, Broja, Seferi

Croatia to raise their game against Albania

Croatia’s back line looked dreadful on the opening day but their attacking line did produce problems to Spain’s defence, especially in the second half. The loss to La Furia Roja ended Croatia’s streak of five wins and a draw in the last five matches across competitions.

Zlatko Dalic’s men can ill afford anything less than a win against Albania, with the fixture against Italy upcoming in the third round.

Albania left a great impression four days ago against Azzurri but even their manager Sylvinho underlined the importance of the team’s absence from major tournaments in this type of games.

However, Albania lost three of the last five outings in all competitions and we hardly see them causing an upset against a much stronger Croatian side.

As goal difference could prove crucial in the potential battle for the top-two finish in this group, Croatia will aim to win by as many goals as possible on Wednesday. You can back the Croats to win in -1.5 Asian Handicap at the 2.30 odds.

The value is with the Over 2.5 goals

Each of Croatia’s last four matches in all competitions provided at least three goals. The run involves a 2-1 win in a friendly against Portugal. The same scenario happened in four of Albania’s last five outings across competitions.

Knowing that Croatia need to score as many goals as possible to improve their goal difference after a 0-3 defeat to Spain, we will back the Over 2.5 goals bet at the 2.00 odds.

Steffen Schmidt- June 17, 2024

Croatia vs Albania Betting Tips

Croatia to win in -1.5 Asian Handicap

OK

2.42 Odds

Over 2.5 goals

OK

2.04 Odds

Correct Score: Croatia 3-0

OK

11.00 Odds