3 Spain vs 0 Croatia

Predictions

Final 1x2 predictions and Both teams to score probability.

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ESP

Draw

CRO

BTTS

Spain to begin Euro 2024 campaign against Croatia.

Spain begins its quest for a record fourth European Championship title with a thrilling opener against a resilient Croatia, aiming to replicate their Nations League triumph at the Olympiastadion Berlin.

Spain

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Three-time European champions Spain will be making their first appearance at Euro 2024 with a fixture against Croatia. Having recorded victories in three of their last five outings [WLDWW], with a 5-1 win over Northern Ireland being their most recent victory, La Roja are looking to start on their best foot.

They take on a familiar foe, Croatia, whom they defeated on penalties to clinch the UEFA Nations League title in 2023. Both teams are facing each other at the European Championship for the fourth consecutive edition.

Spain stormed through the qualifying round, finishing at the top of Group A, having lost only once [7W, 0D, 1L]. Luis de la Fuente’s side are taking part in their 12th UEFA EURO and have won the competition three times [1964, 2008, & 2012] as joint-record title holders alongside Germany. Spain is also the only nation to have won successive European championship titles.

"My experience is that Croatia has simply always oozed this competitive DNA," Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo said ahead of Saturday’s fixture. A 4—3—3 was seen in Spain’s win over Northern Ireland and is expected again here.

Nico Williams, Álvaro Morata, and 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, who is set to become the youngest player to play in a European Championship, are expected in attack. "Lamine is one of those players that has been given a gift and is unique. And you’ve mentioned something very important, which is that I’ve always believed that individual talent has to be used for the good of the team. Always," he added.

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Croatia

The Checkered Ones have never advanced past the quarterfinals in the European Championship, but they are eager to change that in this edition of the tournament.

Heading into Saturday's clash, they are in excellent form, boasting three consecutive victories, including a 2-1 triumph over Portugal. "We played them many times, and we know what kind of football Spain like to play," said Ante Budimir in a press conference before the game.

Zlatko Dalić is expected to employ a 4-3-3 formation as seen against Portugal, featuring Lovro Majer, Ante Budimir, and Andrej Kramarić in the attack. While Ivan Perišić is unavailable due to fitness issues, Luka Modrić is set to earn his 176th cap for Croatia, tying him with Gianluigi Buffon for third place on the all-time list of European players.

Team form

Showing the latest five games—giving you a quick look at recent performance trends. Teams in good form tend to do well in the next match.