France vs Croatia: betting odds March 23, 2025

The second leg of the 2024/25 Nations League quarter-final between France and Croatia will take place on March 23 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. The score of the first match was 2-0 in favor of Croatia. France vs. Croatia: prediction and betting odds, statistics.

France

The team lost the first match 0-2. This defeat was Didier Deschamps' side's first in their last six Nations League matches (4 wins, 1 draw). The French have failed to score against their opponents only twice in their last eight games in this tournament. To advance to the next round, France needs to win by at least three goals. However, they have only achieved such a margin once in the Nations League.

• France has conceded in 6 of their last 8 Nations League games.
• No more than two goals have been scored in 4 of the team's last 5 matches in this tournament.
• France opened the scoring in 5 of their last 7 Nations League encounters.

Predicted lineup for France (4-3-3)

Mike Maignan – Ibrahima Konate, Lucas Digne, Jules Kounde, William Saliba – Matteo Guendouzi, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni – Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Randal Kolo Muani.

Croatia

With their victory in the last match, Zlatko Dalic's side ended a three-match winless run in the Nations League (2 draws, 1 loss). Moreover, Croatia kept a clean sheet for the first time in their last five matches in this tournament. For a second consecutive semi-final appearance, Croatia can afford to lose by a minimal margin in the return leg. If they lose by exactly two goals, extra time will follow.

• The team has scored in 8 of their last 9 Nations League matches.
• Croatia has not lost in 5 of their last 7 away games in this tournament (3 wins, 2 draws in regular time).
• The team has conceded in their last 5 away matches in this tournament.

Predicted lineup for Croatia (4-5-1)

Dominik Livakovic – Josko Gvardiol, Josip Stanisic, Duje Caleta-Car, Josip Sutalo – Luka Modric, Martin Baturina, Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric – Ante Budimir.

Referee

Michael Oliver (England)

Matches – 12 (International matches, 2024/25);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 46;

Average yellow cards per match – 3.8;

Red cards shown – 3;

Average fouls per match – 21;

Penalties – 42%.

Match Prediction: France vs. Croatia

The Croatians played a brilliant first half in the last match. In addition to scoring two goals, they also missed a penalty, and a 0-3 scoreline would likely have been a decisive blow for the French. However, overcoming a two-goal deficit will still be a challenge. Despite having a formidable attacking lineup, Kylian Mbappe has not scored from open play in his last nine appearances for the national team.

Croatia will aim to defend their advantage, and even a narrow defeat will suffice for them. Croatia has only lost in regular time twice in their last 14 Nations League matches (7 wins, 5 draws), and in both cases, they lost by just one goal.

France will need to take risks and attack in numbers. Their defense allows too many chances for a team of their caliber. If the visitors can capitalize on at least one opportunity, it's unlikely that France will win with the required margin. My prediction: Croatia with a handicap (+1.5)