BATTLING it out to qualify from Euro 2024 Group B, Croatia and Italy lock horns at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig on Monday night.
Italy are currently occupying second spot in the section with three points, while Croatia are propping up the pool with a solitary point.
The Azzurri head into their final group game off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Spain on Thursday night, bringing up two bets for our man Kevin Mac in the process.
That means the reigning champions require just one point from this clash to ensure that they carry on with the defence of their continental crown.
As for Croatia, they have no margin for error in their final match, and must also hope that Spain do them a favour against Albania.
Zlatko Dalic's team was swept aside 3-0 by the Spanish in their opening match of the tournament before conceding a last-gasp equaliser in an enthralling 2-2 draw with Albania in midweek.
How the bookies view it: Italian job anticipated
Italy are 13/10 favourites on Betfred to seal their passage to the knockout round by overcoming Croatia on Monday night.
Croatia are 11/5 outsiders on Betfred to bag their maiden win of the tournament while the draw can be backed at 23/10 with the same bookmaker.
Head to head: Chequered Ones' record in check
Croatia have a very strong record when going up against Italy, having lost just one of the overall nine meetings between the pair.
Monday night's match-up will be the first time the two nations have come up against each other on the international circuit since drawing 1-1 during Euro 2016 qualifying.
Last five H2H duels:
- 12/06/2015 (EURO Qualifiers) – Croatia 1-1 Italy
- 16/11/2014 (EURO Qualifiers) – Italy 1-1 Croatia
- 14/06/2012 (EURO) – Italy 1-1 Croatia
- 16/8/2006 (International Friendly) – Italy 0-2 Croatia
- 08/06/2002 (World Cup) – Italy 1-2 Croatia
Players to watch: Perisic worth a punt?
Ivan Perisic was deployed at left-back in Croatia's 2-2 draw with Albania and if the veteran utility man finds himself in the same position here then he could be worth considering for a card at 4/1 on Betfred. Perisic has committed two fouls in each of his two outings at Euro 2024 so far and he should have his work cut out here with Italy's Federico Chiesa.
Nico Barella notched in Italy's opening game of Euro 2024 and he is an eye-catching 11/2 (Betfred) to repeat the trick on Monday night.
Predicted line-ups
Mario Pasalic and Luka Sucic impressed for Croatia after coming off the bench against Albania, so both could get the nod on matchday three.
Italy boss Luciano Spalletti could make some changes to his starting XI on Monday night, with Mateo Retegui and Bryan Cristante the most likely candidates to come into the side.
Croatia: Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Perisic; Modric, Kovacic; Pasalic, Sucic, Kramaric; Budimir
Italy: Donnarumma; Darmian, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco; Cristante, Jorginho; Barella, Pellegrini, Chiesa; Retegui
Anything else catch the eye?
Given what's at stake in this Group B clash, a cagey affair is expected at the Red bull Arena on Monday night, making under 2.5 goals an appealing prospect at 4/5 on Betfred.
These two sides are more closely matched than the pre-match odds suggest so goals could be at a premium.
Four of Croatia's last six competitive contests have failed to break the over 2.5 goal barrier, while a sizeable 13 of Italy's last 17 fixtures have produced two match strikes or fewer.
Thus, siding with under 2.5 goals in Saxony makes plenty of sense at 4/5 on Betfred.
This Euro 2024 match between Croatia and Italy will be played on Jun 24, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Croatia vs Italy prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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