Croatia and Austria will begin their respective 2022/23 UEFA Nations League campaigns with an Osijek clash Friday evening. You can live-bet on the Nations League action by using our sportsbook.
Check the latest news, stats, injury reports, and Europa League odds for Croatia vs Austria. There are plenty of soccer predictions for you to consider.
Star Croatia players could be rested
It was difficult for Croatia to make an impression in the 2020/21 Nations League, earning just three points from six matches to finish at the bottom of Group A3. They’ve lost each of their previous three fixtures in this competition, but will enter Friday’s clash on the back of a 2-1 win over Bulgaria in an international friendly at the end of March.
Croatia finished second at the 2018 World Cup, beating England in the semifinals, then suffering a 4-2 loss to France in the final match. They failed to make a serious impression at Euro 2020, though,, being eliminated in the last-16 portion of the competition by Spain. However, they secured automatic World Cup qualification after a well-deserved 1-0 victory over Russia, meaning their spirits are high ahead of their Nations League opener.
Real Madrid star Luka Modric, who did help Los Blancos beat Liverpool in the Champions League final match, could be rested against Austria, while Inter forward Ivan Perisic has been ruled out with injury. Perisic is reunited with Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte, as his deal at Inter comes to an end. Coach Zlatko Dalic declared that his most important players,, Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Josko Gvardiol, just cannot play all four games and that he will try to rotate them against Austria, France and Denmark.
Gvardiol finished the Bundesliga season with the best dribble success rate and best through ball accuracy He has being linked with Chelsea. They also have Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic, AC Milan’s Ante Rebic or Atletico Madrid’s Sime Vrsaljko inside their squad. The 2018 World Cup bridesmaids have lost just one of their qualifying games leading to the tournament, and will make their sixth appearance in just seven editions of this competition. Even though the Nations League is not that important to them, let’s not forget this is a World Cup season. Croatia will try to build some momentum before November’s tournament. It’s not exactly the best time to back Croatia, given their squad rotation. We won’t include them in our soccer picks and parlays.
It’s a new beginning in Austria
Ralf Rangnick has taken charge of his first Austria training session, a day after it was announced he would no longer have his Manchester United consultancy role. The 63-year-old has been officially named the country’s new manager, ahead of their hat-trick of Nations League matches against Croatia, Denmark and France.
Rangnick’s new side’s first fixture is against Croatia this Friday. Now, after relinquishing his United responsibilities, he will now solely dedicate his time to Austria. He will be hoping his new set of players quickly buy into his ideas as manager, and the feedback has so far been positive.
Austria failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, having finished fourth in Group F. They only accumulated 16 points from 10 matches during a disappointing campaign. They’ve not been present in the finals of a World Cup since 1998, but they played at Euro 2020 last summer. getting eliminated by European champions Italy in the round of 16
Austria finished atop Group B1 in the previous edition of Nations League play, earning them promotion to Group A. If you’re betting online, know that they’re the underdogs of this group.
Croatia vs Austria Head-to-Head
Croatia have an excellent record against Austria, winning the last five head-to-heads across all competitions. The hosts have won four of their last six international matches. Austria lost their last two away games (Wales and Denmark). Four of Croatia’s last six matches have witnessed scoring by both teams, while each of Austria’s last four fixtures have ended with both teams scoring.
Croatia vs Austria Game Information
- Game: Croatia (0-0-0) vs Austria (0-0-0)
- Location: Gradski Stadium (Osijek)
- Day/Time: Friday, 2:45 p.m. ET
- Live stream: fubo.tv
Croatia vs Austria Betting Lines
| Team | Handicap | Moneyline | Total | Team Total |
| Croatia | -½ +110 | +110 | 2½ +115o | 1½ +120o
1½ -150u |
| Austria | +½ -140 | +265 | 2½ -145u | ½ -200o
½ +160u |
| Draw | +240 |
Croatia vs Austria Predictions
The hosts enter this clash as slight favorites, priced at +110 on the three-way moneyline according to the latest soccer odds. The goal line is set at 2½.
Rangnick will definitely be desperate to get off to the perfect start as head coach of Austria, and the visitors are certainly capable of a positive result Friday on the road. Both sides are fully-packed with attacking players that can not only undress the defenses, but also find the back of the net.
There’s a lot of Croatia quality, though, especially in midfield, and we believe that the hosts can extend their great head-to-head record against Austria. This is ideal preparation for the World Cup, Croatia will be determined to show their wares in this group.
Witn 13 goals in their last five matches, expect Croatia to find the back of the net at least twice against Austria. That is priced at +120. The Austrians have scored more than twice in three of their last four, Given the two sides’ attacking stats, expect a back-and-forth game this Friday.
