Croatia welcome Portugal to Stadion Poljud on Monday evening for their UEFA Nations League clash. The Croats are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Scotland last week, while Portugal arrive in Split full of confidence following their emphatic 5-1 victory over Poland. The Vatreni will need to find their scoring touch against a Portuguese side that has shown impressive form in the competition so far.
Watch Croatia vs Portugal on TV and online in the UK
UK viewers can catch Croatia vs Portugal live on Premier Sports Extra, UEFA TV, or via Viaplay International's YouTube channel. The clash between the Croats and the Portuguese will be available across multiple platforms for British football fans to tune in.
Summary and predictions for Croatia vs Portugal
Bookies appear to be favoring Portugal in this international clash against Croatia, though specific odds haven't been provided. The Selecao, with their impressive attacking talent and recent form, are expected to have the edge over the Vatreni when these two European heavyweights meet. The Croats, despite their consistent performances in major tournaments and home advantage, are seen as slight underdogs in this fixture. Portugal's solid defensive record and wealth of attacking options likely influenced the bookmakers' predictions, though it's worth noting that Croatia's midfield prowess could make this a tighter affair than the odds suggest.
Croatia Summary of Recent Matches
The Vatreni have been experiencing a mixed bag of results in their recent international outings, particularly struggling to find their rhythm on the road. Their away form has been rather concerning, failing to secure a victory in their last three matches away from home. A narrow 1-0 defeat to Scotland was followed by a thrilling 3-3 draw against Poland, while they also came up short in a 2-1 loss to Portugal. Despite these away day blues, Croatia have shown more mettle on home turf, managing to nick positive results against Scotland and Poland in the Nations League. However, their overall defensive stability has been somewhat questionable, having kept just one clean sheet in their last six matches across all competitions. The team's ability to find the back of the net hasn't been an issue, though they've struggled to convert these goals into winning results, particularly when playing away from their home ground. This inconsistent form suggests the 2018 World Cup finalists are going through a transitional period that needs addressing.
Portugal Form Analysis
Portugal's recent away form in the Nations League has been quite impressive, showing they're just as capable on their travels as they are at home. The Seleção picked up a solid point in their latest away fixture, holding Scotland to a goalless draw at Hampden Park. Prior to that, they put in a commanding performance in Poland, securing a convincing 3-1 victory that showcased their attacking prowess on foreign soil. Looking at their overall away record, Portugal have proven themselves to be a tough nut to crack on the road. They've managed to avoid defeat in their last three away matches, collecting four points from a possible six in the Nations League. Their defensive organisation has been particularly noteworthy, with just one goal conceded in these away fixtures. The Portuguese side have demonstrated they can adapt their game plan effectively when playing away from home, mixing solid defensive displays with their trademark attacking flair when opportunities arise.
Croatia vs Portugal Head-to-Head
Portugal have dominated their head-to-head encounters with Croatia, winning four out of their five meetings and showing remarkable consistency both home and away. The Selecao have proven equally effective on both fronts, notching up two victories at home and two on Croatian soil. Their most recent triumph came in September 2024, when they edged past the Croatians 2-1 in a UEFA Nations League clash on home turf. The Vatreni have struggled to make their mark in this fixture, managing just a single victory in their five attempts against the Portuguese. What's particularly telling is Croatia's inability to capitalise on home advantage, failing to secure any wins on their own patch while their sole victory came as visitors. The head-to-head record paints a clear picture of Portugal's supremacy in this matchup, with no draws between the sides adding to the one-sided nature of their encounters.
Croatia and Portugal places in the table
Portugal currently lead the group in first place, with Croatia sitting just behind them in second. The Vatreni and the Seleção occupy the top two spots in what's shaping up to be a tight race at the summit of the standings.
