We probably expected more from the Croatian national team against Spain. After all, they have achieved tremendous international success, being the World Cup’s vice-champions in 2018.
The first half against Spain was a disaster. Croatia trailed 0-3 with goals from Alvaro Morata, Fabian Ruiz, and Dani Carvajal. However, Croatia showed resilience in the second half, generating 1.83 xG but failing to find the back of the net. They were awarded a penalty, but Bruno Petković was inaccurate from the spot.
Many pundits already say that Croatian footballers are in the twilight of their careers. Luka Modric – one of the best players of his generation – is 38 and cannot keep up with the intensity. Additionally, the majority of their strikers are over 30, emphasizing the lack of young talent in the squad.
Albania also lost their first-round match against Italy, but no one expected them to put up significant resistance. However, by the 23rd second, thanks to a goal from Nedim Bajrami (the fastest goal in the Euros), Albania took the lead. It didn’t last long, though, as the Italians equalized and took the lead by the 16th minute.
Overall, Albania only managed an xG of 0.38 for the entire match, and they didn’t create any chances in the second half. However, they won’t be an easy opponent for Croatia and will undoubtedly fight to get a positive result in this game.
Bet hereAfter a disastrous performance in the opening match against Spain, the Croats have no choice but to play for victory. In the third round of EURO 2024, the Balkans face the reigning European champions Italy, where nothing is guaranteed. In fact, the match against Italy could determine the second-place finisher in the group stage.
Croatia played the second half against Spain at a high level, and if they approach the entire match against Albania with the same intensity, they will be the favourites and likely to secure a win. Given this, a reasonable Euro 2024 betting tip would be to back Croatia to win with a handicap.
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Even without scoring, Croatia managed to reach a decent xG against Spain in their opener. Historically, they may not score a lot of goals, as confirmed by their performance in the qualifying stage, where they netted 13 goals in 8 matches. However, they have the potential to improve this against their upcoming opponents.
Albania also put in a commendable performance against Italy. Although they didn’t create a large number of scoring opportunities against such a formidable opponent, they capitalized on the chances they did find, which demonstrates their capability in attack.
Considering the defensive issues Croatia displayed against Spain, Sylvinho’s men will likely have their opportunities in attack. Given these factors, it’s highly probable that both teams will find the back of the net. Therefore, a solid Euro 2024 prediction would be to back both teams to score.
Disclaimer: The content provided on this page, including all UEFA EURO 2024 predictions, odds, and related information, is for entertainment and informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure accuracy and timeliness, we do not guarantee the correctness or reliability of any predictions, data, or information presented here.
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