With the two nations locked on one point at the bottom of Group D, Croatia and Scotland will both be eager to win their final group match at Hampden Park on Tuesday.
With four points apiece, the Czech Republic and England occupy the top two places in Group D. However, a win for either Croatia or Scotland could see them qualify for the knockout phase.
🗓️ Magnificent #CRO victory over Argentina (3:0) to set the scene at the 2018 @FIFAWorldCup! #OnThisDay⚽️ Ante Rebić 53'⚽️ Luka Modrić 80'⚽️ Ivan Rakitić 90+1'🙌 How did you celebrate that evening? #BeProud #WorldCup #OTD #Vatreni🔥 pic.twitter.com/vGgiod1HTn— HNS (@HNS_CFF) June 21, 2021
🗓️ Magnificent #CRO victory over Argentina (3:0) to set the scene at the 2018 @FIFAWorldCup! #OnThisDay⚽️ Ante Rebić 53'⚽️ Luka Modrić 80'⚽️ Ivan Rakitić 90+1'🙌 How did you celebrate that evening? #BeProud #WorldCup #OTD #Vatreni🔥 pic.twitter.com/vGgiod1HTn
Scotland will have a lively home crowd behind them on Tuesday, although they failed to make the most of that advantage against the Czechs.
Croatia were beaten 1-0 by England in their tournament opener, despite edging both the possession and passing statistics at Wembley.
However, the 2018 World Cup runners-up avoided defeat in their previous outing – recording a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic.
It’s fair to say that Croatia are on a poor run at the moment. In fact, they have only managed to pick up two wins in their previous 11 matches in all competitions.
It is also worth noting that Zlatko Dalic’s men have failed to score more than one goal in each of their last four outings – firing a blank against Belgium and England in the Nations League.
As for Scotland, they will be full of confidence after securing a well-earned goalless draw with British rivals England on Friday.
Steve Clarke’s side caused the Three Lions plenty of problems and even managed to rack up more attempts on goal than England.
But let’s not forget that Scotland lost their opening match of the European Championship to the Czech Republic last week.
Clarke’s men enjoyed 58% possession and recorded 19 shots against the Czechs, yet they were unable to make the most of their dominance.
Friday’s draw with England means that Scotland have now lost just one of their previous seven games (two wins, four draws).
Head-to-head: Scotland and Croatia have faced each other five times over the years and, remarkably, the Scots have never been beaten.
Following three draws between 2000 and 2008, Scotland sealed two straight wins over Croatia during World Cup qualifying in 2013.
Team news: Croatia will be without Borna Barisic again on Tuesday. The Rangers left-back has missed the previous two games through injury.
Having put in a man-of-the-match performance against England, Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour is likely to keep his place in Scotland’s starting XI.
Although Scotland gave a good account of themselves against England, Croatia should have enough quality to see off the Scots.
Forebet predicts that Croatia will seal a low-scoring victory on Tuesday, knocking Scotland out of Euro 2020 in the process.