Croatia vs France: Defenses set to be exposed in Split

France’s Nations League defence got off to the worst possible start as they lost to Denmark at home, and Les Bleus are now under pressure as they travel to Croatia.

Although this is a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final these sides have met twice since then, and Didier Deschamps’ men boast an unbeaten record against their hosts. It is one they need to maintain if they are to stand a chance of qualifying.

France are favourites at 1.99 while Croatia can be backed at 4. Meanwhile, the draw is offered a 3.6.

Croatia stunned

Croatia suffered their first defeat since Euro 2020 on Friday, but it was a spectacular one as they crumbled to a 3-0 home loss against Austria. Luka Modric was notably on the bench for that encounter after his Champions League victory with Real Madrid a matter of days before, while experienced figures Dejan Lovren and Ivan Perisic are missing from the squad due to injury.

Left-back could be a problem area. The highly rated Borna Sosa picked up a knock against Austria and could be replaced by Borna Barisic, a player who has struggled for form in Scotland with Rangers this season.

Nevertheless, it will surely be a more experienced side that is fielded against France, an opponent they have met three times in the last four years and have suffered defeat on each occasion. These games have been high-scoring affairs, producing 15 goals in total.

France midfielder Paul Pogba absent for Split trip

France stretched

Les Bleus have problems of their own. They lost their first competitive match over 90 minutes at home since 2013 when they went down 2-1 to Denmark at Stade de France, with a weak defensive performance undermining Karim Benzema’s fine opening goal. Worse, an injury to Raphael Varane will ruled him out of their three upcoming games.

In attack, meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe is out after sustaining a knee injury in the first half of the loss to the Danes in Paris. Les Bleus will likely replace him with the in-form Christopher Nkunku, while there is no certainty Benzema will asked to be start yet again after playing the Champions League final last weekend and the duration of the midweek loss.

This will be a major test of the strength in depth that Deschamps’ side possess, especially as Paul Pogba, another important figure, is also absent.

Goals on the menu

Both sides are looking weak defensively and given the history of goals between these nations, backing over 2.5 goals at 2.10 looks like a healthy bet. Similarly, both teams to score at 1.9 looks a strong selection. This would have been a winner in four of the last five matches between these nations.

France are favourites but do not justify their price around evens given their selection issues. Nevertheless, it would be a shock if they lost, so to support Les Bleus, doing so on the draw no bet market at 1.42 could be the way forward.

Recommended bets

Over 2.5 goals @ 2.10
Both teams to score @ 1.9