Kick-off: 1945 BST, 13/06/2022
Stadium: Stade de France
TV: Premier Sports
France are languishing at the foot of the Nations League Group A1 table and will be determined to ease any relegation fears by beating Croatia.
The visitors enjoyed a boost when winning in Denmark last time out, but that may lead to a slight drop in intensity for this Paris clash.
Bwin has a price boost of 4.5 for Les Bleus to win both halves and that is our first France vs Croatia prediction.
France Odds
France began the defence of this trophy by losing 2-1 at home to Denmark and have since drawn 1-1 away to Croatia and Austria.
Friday’s stalemate in Vienna was very much a game of two halves, with Les Bleus trailing at the break due to Andreas Weimann’s well-worked goal.
However, Didier Deschamps introduced Kylian Mbappe in the second period and he levelled things up with a spectacular strike on 83 minutes.
The PSG superstar was then denied by the crossbar and Matteo Guendouzi had a header saved, as France piled on the pressure in the closing stages.
A gruelling schedule of four games in 11 days at the end of a long, hard club season has taken its toll on many players.
Mbappe is among those battling through the pain barrier, but he said: “I’m not 100% but if the coach needs me, I’ll be there.
“Afterwards, it’s the last match before the holidays – we can push a little.”
That mentality, alongside a desperate need for points, makes Les Bleus an attractive proposition here.
Mbappe has netted 10 times in his last six international appearances, so 2.4 for him to score in a home win has obvious appeal from the France vs Croatia odds.
Croatia Odds
Croatia were stunned 3-0 by Austria in Osijek first up but have responded well by drawing with France and then winning 1-0 away to Denmark.
The Blazers had to ride their luck a bit in Copenhagen, with the hosts having a couple of goals chalked off by the officials.
However, they improved in the second half following the introduction of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic.
Modric forced Kasper Schmeichel to save well from long range and then Mario Pasalic pounced on a defensive slip to poke home the 69th-minute decider.
Chelsea midfielder Kovacic commented: “We struggled a little bit in the first half, but in the second half, we took control.
“And luckily, the goal came as well – and that was more calming for us.”
Croatia have a habit of doing just enough to survive in this competition, though, and they may see September’s tussles with Austria and Denmark as more winnable contests.
Let’s add 4.4 for Les Bleus to win by exactly two goals to our France vs Croatia betting tips, just as they did in the 2018 World Cup final.
Additional stats
Last result:
Austria 1-1 FRANCE – Mbappe
Denmark 0-1 CROATIA – Pasalic
Head-to-head: Croatia 1-1 France, Croatia 1-2 France, France 4-2 Croatia, France 4-2 Croatia
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