France vs Croatia: betting odds 23 Mar 2025

The second leg of the 2024/25 Nations League quarter-final between France and Croatia will take place on March 23 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. The score of the first match was 2-0 in favor of Croatia. France vs. Croatia: prediction and betting odds, statistics.

France

The team suffered a 0-2 defeat in the first match. This loss marked Didier Deschamps' side's first defeat in their last six Nations League matches (4 wins, 1 draw). The French side failed to score in only two of their last eight games in this tournament. To advance to the next round, France needs to win by at least three goals. However, they have only achieved such a margin once in the Nations League.

• France has conceded in 6 of their last 8 Nations League games.
• No more than two goals have been scored in 4 of the team's last 5 matches in this tournament.
• France has opened the scoring in 5 of their last 7 Nations League encounters.

Predicted lineup for France (4-3-3)

Mike Maignan – Ibrahima Konate, Lucas Digne, Jules Kounde, William Saliba – Matteo Guendouzi, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni – Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Randal Kolo Muani.

Croatia

Thanks to their victory in the previous match, Zlatko Dalic's team ended a three-match winless streak in the Nations League (2 draws, 1 loss). Additionally, Croatia kept a clean sheet for the first time in their last five matches in this tournament. To reach the semi-finals for the second consecutive time, Croatia can afford to lose by a minimal margin in the return leg. If they lose by exactly two goals, extra time will be played.

• The team has scored in 8 of their last 9 Nations League matches.
• Away from home, Croatia has not lost in 5 of their last 7 matches in this tournament (3 wins, 2 draws in regular time).
• The team has conceded in their last 5 away matches in this tournament.

Predicted lineup for Croatia (4-5-1)

Dominik Livakovic – Josko Gvardiol, Josip Stanisic, Duje Caleta-Car, Josip Sutalo – Luka Modric, Martin Baturina, Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric – Ante Budimir.

Referee

Michael Oliver (England)

Matches – 12 (International matches, 2024/25);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 46;

Average yellow cards per match – 3.8;

Red cards shown – 3;

Average fouls per match – 21;

Penalties – 42%.

Match Prediction: France vs. Croatia

Croatia delivered an excellent first half in the previous match. Besides scoring two goals, the team also missed a penalty, and a 0-3 scoreline would likely have been decisive for the French. However, recovering a two-goal deficit remains a challenge. Despite France's formidable attack on paper, Kylian Mbappe has not scored from open play in his last nine matches for the national team.

Croatia will aim to defend their advantage, and even a narrow loss will suffice. Croatia has lost in regular time in just two of their last 14 Nations League matches (7 wins, 5 draws), both by a single goal margin.

France will need to take risks and push forward with significant numbers. However, their defense has allowed too many chances for a team of their caliber. If the visitors can capitalize on even one opportunity, France may struggle to secure the necessary win. My prediction: Croatia with a handicap (+1.5)