Croatia host Hungary at Stadion Polijud in Split on Thursday in an important Group E clash.
Croatia are top of the group on 10 points while Hungary find themselves in 3rd – just 1 point off top spot.
The hosts have lost 1 of their 5 qualifying matches in the campaign so far, while winning 3 and drawing another.
After picking up wins against Wales and Slovakia, Croatia drew 1-1 with Azerbaijan in their most recent game, and will be eager to return to winning ways against Hungary.
📸 Practice, practice, and more practice 🇭🇷#BeProud #Croatia #Vatreni🔥 pic.twitter.com/t2j8qXg36i— HNS (@HNS_CFF) October 8, 2019
📸 Practice, practice, and more practice 🇭🇷#BeProud #Croatia #Vatreni🔥 pic.twitter.com/t2j8qXg36i
Croatia are extremely strong on home soil and have lost just 2 of their previous 20 home matches.
They have also scored 10 goals across their last 5 home matches (averaging 2 goals per game).
With that being said, Hungary won the first qualifying match between the two teams earlier this year.
Ante Rebic gave Croatia the lead in March, but Hungary came from behind to eventually win the game 2-1.
The visitors come into this match on the back of a 2-1 home defeat to Slovakia. Despite creating numerous opportunities, Hungary failed to make their dominance count.
This defeat means that Hungary have now lost 2 of their 5 qualifying games but have managed to win the other 3, keeping them within touching distance of Croatia.
Hungary have won just 5 of their last 20 away matches and were beaten by Montenegro in their most recent game on the road.
Team news now and defender Botond Barath was sent off in Hungary’s defeat to Slovakia, so he will be suspended for this clash.
As for Croatia, the forward trio of Andrej Kramaric, Aleksander Mitrovic and Marko Pjaca were all left out of the squad due to injury.
However, with the likes of Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric, Croatia should have enough quality to pick up all three points.
It is worth pointing out that 2 of the last 5 matches between Croatia and Hungary have featured over 2.5 goals, with 3 of those 5 meetings producing goals at both ends.
Croatia have won both of their 2 home group games so far by the scoreline of 2-1, and this trend looks set to continue on Thursday.
Forebet predicts a home win, with both teams getting on the scoresheet.