Qualifying for the 2024 European Championship continues this week, including the Group D fixture between Croatia and Türkiye.
The match will be played at the Opus Arena, in Osijek and the hosts are currently top of the group on 10 points with the visitors on the same number of points in second place, having played one game extra.
The happiness effect of #Croatia practice!#Family #Vatreni❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/MzDKeXALqD— HNS (@HNS_CFF) October 10, 2023
The happiness effect of #Croatia practice!#Family #Vatreni❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/MzDKeXALqD
Croatia come into the game on the back of a 1-0 win in Armenia in 2024 European Championship qualifying.
The only goal of the match was scored in the 13th minute and although they did not add that goal, Croatia prevented their opponents from scoring to seal maximum points.
The win in Armenia means Croatia are undefeated in 6 of their last 7 fixtures in all competitions.
They have won 4 of their last 5 matches, with the wins coming over Türkiye away and Latvia at home in European Championship qualifying plus against the Netherlands in the semi-finals of the Nations League.
The only defeat in the last 7 games for Croatia came in the Nations League final against Spain via a penalty shootout.
Trends show Croatia are tough to beat when playing at home in European Championship qualifying and they are undefeated in their last 23 matches.
They have won 6 of their last 7 home European Championship qualifying games and have seen both teams score in 4 of their last 6 on home soil.
Türkiye make the trip to the Opus Arena having lost 4-2 to Japan in their most recent fixture, which was a friendly.
Türkiye made a poor start to the game and were 3-0 down after 36 minutes but did pull a goal back on the stroke of half time.
Türkiye made it 3-2 in the 61st minute but it was Japan who scored the final goal of the game.
The defeat to Japan means Türkiye have failed to win their last 2 matches having been held to a 1-1 draw at home against Armenia in 2024 European Championship qualifying.
Türkiye needed an 88th minute equaliser to take a point from that match.
Trends show there are no losses for Türkiye in 21 of their most recent 23 European Championship qualifying games.
Türkiye have won all their last 3 away matches in European Championship qualifying and have seen both teams score in 3 of their last 4 on the road.
Team news: Croatia are without injured striker Andrej Kramarić, with Bruno Petković a possibility to start in attack. Luka Modrić will be joined in central midfield by Mateo Kovačić.
Türkiye will be counting on the experience and passing ability of Hakan Çalhanoğlu in midfield. Options in attack include Cengiz Ünder and Bertuğ Yıldırım.
Croatia and Türkiye have been the best teams in Group D to date, but neither are yet guaranteed automatic qualification from the group.
Croatia have a tremendous home record but Türkiye are unbeaten in 10 of their last 11 away European Championship qualifiers. This match could end level, with both teams scoring.