Croatia and Sweden will both be aiming to get their first 2020/21 UEFA Nations League points on the board when they clash at Stadion Maksimir on Sunday.
The two sides sit joint-bottom of Group A3 having both suffered back-to-back defeats in their opening two games.
📸 #Croatia practice session 🇭🇷#Vatreni🔥 pic.twitter.com/c6SU36cgdl— HNS (@HNS_CFF) October 9, 2020
📸 #Croatia practice session 🇭🇷#Vatreni🔥 pic.twitter.com/c6SU36cgdl
Croatia were beaten 4-1 by Portugal on Matchday 1. Bruno Petkovic scored an injury-time consolation goal, but the damage had already been done.
On Matchday 2, Croatia conceded four goals again. Remarkably, Zlatko Dalic’s side enjoyed 66% possession and recorded 14 shots against France. But they eventually lost 4-2.
Croatia returned to winning ways on Wednesday with a 2-1 victory over Switzerland. Goals from Josip Brekalo and Mario Pasalic saw Dalic’s men come from behind to claim the win.
Croatia had no trouble qualifying for next summer’s European Championship, finishing top of Group E with just one defeat in eight games.
However, Dalic’s side have struggled for consistency since the qualifying campaign. This visit of Sweden provides Croatia with a decent opportunity get back on track.
Sweden’s Nations League defeat haven’t been as heavy as Croatia’s. But at the end of the day, Peter Gerhardsson’s side still have no points to show for their efforts.
Following a 1-0 defeat to France on Matchday 1, Sweden were beaten 2-0 by Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice.
But like Croatia, Sweden also bounced back with a friendly victory in midweek. Gerhardsson’s men secured an impressive 2-1 win over Russia on Thursday.
Sweden finished second in Euro qualifying Group F – five points behind group-winners Spain and four points ahead of third-place Norway – qualifying for the tournament with one defeat to their name.
Head-to-head: Croatia and Sweden have faced each other four times over the years, with Croatia losing one just one occasion.
Sweden beat Croatia 3-1 in a friendly back in 2012, but the other three encounters were all won by Croatia. There have been no draws in this fixture so far.
Team news: Ivan Rakatic retired from international football last month, while Lille defender Domagoj Bradaric has earned his first senior call-up for Croatia.
Serie A trio Marcelo Brozovic, Ante Rebic and Ivan Perisic are included, alongside veteran midfielder Luka Modric.
As for Sweden, Sebastian Andersson, Ludwig Augustinsson and Dejan Kulusevski were injured for the victory over Russia and aren’t expected to be fit for Sunday’s clash.
It is no secret that Croatia and Sweden have made disappointing starts to this season’s Nations League. And with both sides eager to avoid another defeat, this is likely to be a tense affair.
Forebet predicts that Croatia and Sweden will play out a goalless draw this weekend.