Croatia vs Albania Prediction and Betting Tips | June 19th 2024

Croatia will meet Albania in a must-win group-stage match in UEFA Euro 2024 on Wednesday. Both teams suffered defeats in their campaign opener and a loss in this match might confirm their elimination from the competition.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup runners-up suffered a crushing 3-0 loss to Spain on Saturday, conceding all three goals in the first half. They had a goal disallowed in the second half. Bruno Petkovic scored from a rebound after Unai Simon saved his initial penalty kick.

Ivan Perisic, who had assisted from the rebound, ran into the penalty box before the kick was taken and VAR disallowed the goal due to encroachment.

The Red and Blacks, meanwhile, suffered a 2-1 loss to defending champions Italy. They had a great start to the match, as Nedim Bajrami capitalized on some sloppy defending from Italy and opened the scoring after just 23 seconds. He registered himself in the history books, scoring the fastest goal in UEFA Euro history.

Italy's recovery was quick and they overturned the deficit in the first half, scoring twice just five minutes apart. Alessandro Bastoni equalized in the 11th minute and Nicolò Barella put the defending champions ahead in the 16th minute.

A draw in this match would not be ideal for the Checkered Ones as they conceded three goals while Albania have a goal difference of (-1).

Croatia vs Albania Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

The two teams meet for the first time in a competitive game.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup runners-up have suffered their last two defeats in the European Championships against Spain, losing 5-3 after extra time in UEFA Euro 2020, before a loss in the campaign opener last week.
Albania scored just their second goal at the Euros in their campaign opener but conceded their fifth goal in that period.
The Checkered Ones have not kept a clean sheet in their last eight games in the European Championships.

Croatia vs Albania Prediction

Kockasti failed to score for the first time after three games in their campaign opener and will look to return to goalscoring ways. Interestingly, they have suffered defeats in four of their last six games in the European Championships, which is a cause for concern.

Zlatko Dalić is expected to make a few changes to the starting XI in this match and is likely to be without the services of Nikola Vlašić, who picked up a knock and trained separately from the squad.

Kuqezinjtë scored for the third game on the trot in their campaign opener and will look to build on that form. After failing to score in their first two games in the European Championships, they have scored a goal apiece in their last two games.

Sylvinho has an injury concern for this match as Jasir Asani was absent from training due to an ankle injury. There's no suitable backup for the winger, so Sylvinho will hope to recover Asani in time.

Considering Croatia's experience in the Euros and better squad quality, they are expected to eke out a narrow win.

Prediction: Croatia 2-1 Albania

Croatia vs Albania Betting Tips

Tip 1: Result - Croatia to win

Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals

Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the first half - Yes

Tip 4: Ivan Perisic to score or assist any time - Yes