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Football News

Croatia vs Scotland predicted lineups and team news

By Dean Smith

Published: 18:07, 10 October 2024

Croatia host Scotland in the Nations League at 17:00 on Saturday 12th October 2024 at the Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb. TV details for the match have yet to be confirmed.

Scottish fans are beginning to get restless with their team having mustered a sole victory in a friendly against Gibraltar in their last 14 matches and manager Steve Clarke could be feeling the pressure.

They have lost both of their opening two Nations League games against Poland and Portugal, and while some of their outings have been close – their five defeats by more than one goal have come against Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain and England – an encouraging performance and a positive result from Saturday’s trip to Croatia look the minimum requirement.

Their hosts have their own points to prove after a disappointing Euros where they were outclassed in their opening game by winners Spain and had to settle for draws against Albania and Italy.

The 2023 Nations League runners-up and 2022 World Cup semi-finalists need to demonstrate that they can still be regarded a month Europe’s elite teams, but they should take confidence from the fact they have got off the mark with a 1-0 win over Poland and have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five matches on their own patch.

Croatia vs Scotland Team News

Croatia will go into the Zagreb clash short of defenders with Fiorentina’s Marin Pongracic having to withdraw from the squad with a hip injury.

Manager Zlatko Dalic’s defensive headache is made worse by the news that Ajax’s Josip Sutalo has a muscle injury, but hopes have not been completely extinguished that he will be able to feature, even if he is rested and comes back into contention for Wednesday’s trip to Poland.

Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic was late joining up with the squad due to a personal matter but he is expected to line-up in midfield alongside Luka Modric.

Scotland have to cope without John McGinn as the Aston Villa midfielder is missing with a hamstring injury.

There will also be a change of personnel in goal after Angus Gunn was forced to withdraw from the squad on Tuesday with a rib injury he picked up in Norwich’s 4-0 Championship win over Hull on Saturday.

His place is likely to be taken by the experienced 41-year-old Craig Gordon, who will be looking to earn his 75th cap.

Croatia vs Scotland Predicted XIs

With defensive injury issues to address, it looks likely that Dalic will employ a three-at-the-back system, which will include Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol.

Croatia (3-5-2): Livakovic; Erlic, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol; Jakic, Modric, Kovacic, Sucic, Sosa; Matanovic, Petkovic.

Scotland will look to midfielder Scott McTominay to continue the decent form he has shown in Serie A since joining Napoli, while Birmingham’s Lyndon Dykes is set to lead the line as he looks to end a run of 11 appearances for the national team without a goal.

Scotland (4-2-3-1): Gordon; Ralston, Hanley, Souttar, Robertson; Gilmour, McLean; Christie, McTominay, Doak; Dykes.