The battle to avoid relegation from Nations League Group A3 concludes on 15 November. Croatia need just a point against Czechia at the Opus Arena to secure third place.

Croatia Targeting Positive Result to Secure Third Spot

It hasn’t been the return to international management that Slaven Bilić would have hoped for, as Croatia are set to drop into the relegation playoffs in Group A3.

Vatreni (the Blazers) have lost four straight since opening the campaign with a 2-1 win in Czechia. Home form has also been a concern, with nine goals conceded in losses against England and Spain.

Petar Musa was left out of this month’s squad and will be a notable absence after scoring three in his last five appearances for FC Dallas. Ante Budimir should be able to fill the void, having scored three in five starts for Osasuna.

Croatia predicted lineup vs Czechia (4-5-1): Livaković; Stanišić, Ćaleta-Car, Vušković, Gvardiol; Vlašić, Modrić, Sučić, Kovačić, Perišić; Budimir

Czechia Aiming to Avoid Automatic Relegation

Czechia will have one final opportunity to avoid automatic relegation from Nations League Group A, as they sit bottom of Group A3 without a point, three behind Croatia.

Repre (the national team) have underperformed on the international stage throughout 2026, losing their last six games and winning just twice in their previous 10.

Pavel Šulc is a notable creative outlet who is missing this week as the attacking midfielder recovers from injury. Lukáš Ambros will be given the opportunity to replace the playmaker, having scored once in three appearances for Anderlecht.

Czechia predicted lineup vs Croatia (4-2-3-1): Horníček; Coufal, Vlček, Krejčí, Chaloupek; Král, Souček; Ambros, Červ, Šubert; Naderi

Croatia vs Czechia Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Croatia to Win
  • Odds: 1.50 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Croatia 2-0 Czechia
  • 22Bet Booking Code: J99KP

Key stats:

  • Croatia have won five of their last eight home matches.
  • Czechia have suffered defeats in six straight fixtures.
  • Vatreni are unbeaten in six head-to-head meetings with Repre.

Croatia's defeats this year have all come against higher-ranked nations, and Czechia are not one of them. Vatreni have avoided defeat in 10 of their last 13 at home, with their only defeats this calendar year coming against teams such as England, Spain, and Belgium.

Czechia have underperformed throughout 2026, and their midweek defeat against Spain means that they have now failed to win 10 of their last 12 matches. Their only victories during that period came against lowly-ranked Guatemala and Kosovo.

Croatia won the reverse fixture 2-1 in Czechia seven weeks ago and beat them 5-1 at the Opus Arena in June 2025.

The main risk is that Vatreni could underestimate their opponents, especially given Czechia’s poor form. However, at 1.50, the home win looks reliable, given that Croatia have won three of the six previous head-to-head encounters.

Croatia vs Czechia Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Both Teams to Score (BTTS) - No
  • Odds: 1.92 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: ZX1LP

Expect a one-sided scoreline on Sunday, as Czechia have struggled in the final third all year.

The visitors have failed to score in four of their last six matches and have found the net just four times in their last eight competitive fixtures. BTTS - No was also a winning selection when the teams met in October 2025, with a 0-0 draw. The main risk is Croatia's leaky home defence, with nine goals conceded in two home games this campaign.

However, Vatreni need only a draw to secure third, so they can afford to protect a lead, which makes BTTS - No an excellent value play at 1.92.

Verdict: Croatia to Win (1.50) — Croatia 2-0 Czechia.