Croatia vs Montenegro: prediction & betting odds 8 September 2025

The Matchday 6 World Cup 2026 qualifier between Croatia and Montenegro will take place on September 8 at the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb. Croatia vs. Montenegro: prediction and betting odds, statistics.

Croatia

Zlatko Dalic's team defeated the Faroe Islands 1-0 away in the last round. This victory marked their fifth consecutive win in the World Cup qualifiers. Notably, Croatia has kept a clean sheet in 3 of their last 4 qualifying matches. In Group L, they have conceded only one goal, the best defensive record in the quintet. Overall, Croatia stands in second place, having played two fewer matches than the leading Czech Republic.

• The team has scored at least two goals in 6 of their last 8 World Cup qualifying matches.
• At home, Croatia has won 9 of their last 11 World Cup qualifiers (2 draws).
• In 12 of their last 13 home matches in this tournament, Croatia has not conceded more than one goal.

Predicted lineup for Croatia (3-5-2)

Dominik Livakovic – Borna Sosa, Duje Caleta-Car, Marin Pongracic – Kristijan Jakic, Petar Sucic, Mario Pasalic, Toni Fruk, Andrej Kramaric – Ante Budimir.

Defender Josip Stanisic has joined the squad and is likely to start.

Montenegro

Montenegro lost to the Czech Republic for the second time, again by a score of 0-2. The team has only two wins in their last 7 World Cup qualifiers (1 draw, 4 losses), conceding at least two goals in 5 of those matches. Moreover, Montenegro has kept a clean sheet in only one of their last 7 qualifiers. In the standings, the team is third with 6 points.

• No more than three goals were scored in 7 of Montenegro's last 9 World Cup qualifiers.
• Away from home, the team has not won in 5 of their last 7 qualifiers (1 draw, 4 losses).
• In 6 of their last 7 away matches in this tournament, Montenegro conceded first.

Predicted lineup for Montenegro (4-4-2)

Danijel Petkovic – Igor Vujačić, Stefan Savić, Marko Vukčević, Andrija Vukčević – Andrija Bulatović, Marko Janković, Miloš Brnović, Stevan Jovetić, Milan Vukotić – Nikola Krstović, Stevan Jovetić.

The team has goalkeeper Igor Nikic, defender Adam Marusic, and forwards Andrija Radulovic and Milutin Osmajic unavailable due to injuries.

Referee:

Felix Zwayer (Germany)

Matches – 17 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 93;

Average yellow cards per match – 5.5;

Red cards shown – 7;

Average fouls per match – 22;

Penalties – 41%.

Match Prediction: Croatia vs. Montenegro

After scoring 12 goals in their first two matches, Zlatko Dalic's side managed only one goal in the last round. However, Croatia took nearly 30 shots against the Faroe Islands, and only poor finishing prevented them from scoring more. Overall, the team has no issues converting chances, having scored at least twice in 6 of their last 8 World Cup qualifiers. This scoring ability helps them consistently earn points. Croatia is on an 11-match unbeaten streak in this tournament, with 9 victories.

Montenegro struggles defensively. Away from home, they have conceded in 6 of their last 7 World Cup qualifiers, keeping only Gibraltar scoreless. Moreover, in 5 of these matches, the team allowed at least two goals. Additionally, Montenegro has lost 3 of their last 4 away matches in this tournament, with their only win coming against Gibraltar.

My prediction: Victory for Croatia and Total Over 1.5 goals