Croatia host Czech Republic at the Opus Arena in Osijek on Sunday 15 November, a 7.45pm kick-off (UK time) in the Nations League, with Slaven Bilic‘s side looking to end a miserable group campaign on a high.
Both nations have endured chastening campaigns in Group A3. Croatia sit third but have shipped goals for fun, losing 2-1 at England on Thursday, while Czech Republic are rock bottom, already relegated to League B after losing all five of their games. We have worked through the Croatia vs Czech Republic odds for our best bets, two premium picks and a score prediction below.
Premium Tips
Anthony Eadson expects Croatia’s greater quality to tell against the lowest scorers in the group, with the hosts keeping things tight at the back for once as they close out the campaign in front of their own fans.
| Premium Tip | Odds | Why we’re backing it |
|---|---|---|
| Croatia to win to nil | 13/8 (bet365) | Czech Republic have scored just two goals in five group games and were beaten 2-0 at home by Spain on Thursday, so there is every chance Croatia keep them quiet. Slaven Bilic’s defensive wobbles came against England and Spain rather than a side this blunt, and at home the hosts should be able to see this one out without conceding. The visitors have been unable to find the net in the majority of their group games, and against a Croatia team desperate to end the campaign on a positive note, backing the hosts to win without conceding looks the smart way into a game they should control. At 13/8 with bet365, Croatia to win to nil is our headline pick. |
| Croatia 2-0 Czech Republic | 13/2 (bet365) | Croatia carry far more in attack through Ante Budimir, Andrej Kramaric and Igor Matanovic, and should have enough to win comfortably against the group’s bottom side. With Czech Republic so short of goals, a clean-sheet home win looks the likeliest shape of the game. Croatia won the reverse 2-1 in Prague and, with a point to prove after a wretched group, should be fully focused on finishing with a performance in front of their own fans. A 2-0 scoreline sits close to the market’s most likely outcome and rewards backing it at a bigger price. At 13/2 with bet365, Croatia 2-0 offers real value on a routine evening in Osijek. |
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware — gambleaware.org · Odds correct at time of publishing.
How Croatia go into the game
Croatia go into the final round third in Group A3 on three points after a campaign to forget, their 2-1 defeat at England on Thursday following a 7-0 thrashing in Rijeka and a loss at Spain. Top spot is long gone and a relegation play-off looks likely, but Slaven Bilic, in charge since the summer, will want to sign off in front of a home crowd with a win over the group’s bottom side.
There is no shortage of attacking options, with Ante Budimir, Andrej Kramaric and Igor Matanovic leading the line and Ivan Perisic, Nikola Vlasic and Martin Baturina in support, while Luka Modric remains involved at 41 even if Bilic has rotated him through the group. Croatia have leaked badly of late, but those heavy defeats came against England and Spain rather than opponents as blunt as these.
How Czech Republic go into the game
Czech Republic arrive rock bottom of Group A3 without a point, their relegation to League B already sealed after losing all five of their games. Santi Denia, the nation’s first foreign head coach following his summer appointment after a World Cup failure, has watched his side manage just two goals all campaign, the latest setback a 2-0 home defeat to Spain on Thursday.
Denia’s team have struggled at both ends and will need a far sharper display to trouble Croatia on the road, with Adam Hlozek among the few to offer a spark up top. With only pride left to play for, the visitors face a tough task to avoid signing off their dismal group with another defeat.
Croatia vs Czech Republic head-to-head
Croatia have never lost to Czech Republic and go into this one having won the reverse 2-1 in Prague earlier in the campaign. The nations drew both of their European Championship meetings, 2-2 at Euro 2016 and 1-1 at Euro 2020, while Croatia ran out 5-1 winners in a 2025 World Cup qualifier, with a 0-0 draw between the pair in the same campaign. With the all-time record close and some tallies disputed across sources, we have kept this to prose rather than quote a figure.
Croatia vs Czech Republic predictions & betting tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Croatia to win | 1/2 (bet365) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Croatia won the reverse 2-1 and have never lost to Czech Republic in the fixture’s history. |
| Both teams to score – No | 1/1 (BoyleSports) | ⭐⭐ | Czech Republic have scored just twice in five group games and were shut out by Spain on Thursday. |
| Under 2.5 goals | 6/5 (Betfred) | ⭐⭐ | The visitors have failed to score in three of their five group games this autumn. |
| Croatia 2-0 Czech Republic | 13/2 (bet365) | ⭐⭐ | Croatia have the firepower in Ante Budimir and Andrej Kramaric to win comfortably and keep a clean sheet. |
Croatia vs Czech Republic score prediction
Neither side has much to celebrate from this group, but Croatia are comfortably the stronger team and should have too much for a Czech Republic side that has lost the lot and scored just twice. Bilic’s men have leaked goals, but those came against England and Spain rather than opponents as blunt as these, and in front of their own fans we expect Croatia to control the game and keep a clean sheet as they sign off. Score prediction: Croatia 2-0 Czech Republic.
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