Czechia and Croatia collide in the opening round of matches in the 2026-27 Nations League on September 26 at Fortuna Arena.

Czechia Hoping to Bounce Back Following Dismal World Cup

Incoming manager Santi Denia will face pressure to make a promising start to his tenure as Czechia boss after the nation performed below its usual standards at the World Cup, crashing out in the opening round.

It will be a historic evening at Fortuna Arena, as Denia becomes the first foreigner to ever manage the national team. Wins have been in short supply for Czechia throughout 2026, winning just twice in their seven matches. In fact, they have suffered two defeats in their previous three.

Pavel Šulc will be a key player in the attacking third, having already racked up three assists in five appearances for Lyon in 2026-27. Tomas Holes, Tomas Soucek, and Vladimir Darida have all been excluded from Denia’s first squad.

Czechia predicted lineup vs Croatia (4-3-3): Kovar; Coufal, Krejci, Hranac, Vitik; Kral, Lingr, Karabec; Šulc, Hlozek, Sejk.

Experienced Croatians Beginning to Look Vulnerable at Highest Level

Slaven Bilic will begin his second tenure in charge of the Croatian national team in Czechia. Croatia endured an underwhelming World Cup this summer, crashing out in the round of 32 against Portugal.

Defensive improvement will be required under Bilic, as the team has allowed seven goals in their previous four internationals. Croatia still overrelies on their aging stars, with veterans such as Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, and Andrej Kramaric all on the wrong side of 35.

Petar Musa could provide some freshness in the forward line after accumulating five goal involvements in his last six starts for FC Dallas. Adrian Segecic is the only player missing from the squad that represented the nation at the World Cup.

Croatia predicted lineup vs Czechia (3-4-3): Livakovic; Gvardiol, Stanisic, Vuskovic; Perisic, Modric, Kovacic, Vlasic; Musa, Kramaric, Pasalic.

Czechia vs Croatia Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Total Under 1.5 Goals
  • Odds: 1.21 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: T99A4
  • Correct score prediction: Czechia 1-3 Croatia

Key stats:

  • Each of the last eight matches involving Czechia have seen at least two goals scored.
  • Seven of Croatia’s previous eight fixtures have seen over 1.5 goals.
  • Three of the four head-to-heads have included at least two goals.

Based on the weak defensive records of both sides, over 1.5 goals looks like a standout selection on Saturday. Czechia’s last eight fixtures have seen at least two goals scored, and they have conceded at least twice in two of their previous three.

Croatia have also underperformed defensively this year, allowing at least one goal in all but one of their eight outings. Head-to-head trends also support a high-scoring clash, with three of the four meetings seeing over 1.5 goals.

Czechia vs Croatia Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Croatia
  • Odds: 2.15 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: ZHBB4

The away win is an appealing value bet this Saturday. Despite struggling defensively, Croatia have still won three of their previous five clashes.

In contrast, Czechia have failed to win in regulation time in five of their last seven. Croatia have also never lost to Czechia in their last five head-to-heads.

Verdict: Over 1.5 Goals (1.21) — Czechia 1-3 Croatia