Czechia vs Croatia Preview – prediction, team news, lineups | UEFA Nations League 2026-27

The previous outing between these sides ended in a goalless draw!

The Czech Republic national football team will lock horns with the Croatia national football team for their opening game of the UEFA Nations League 2026-27 edition. These countries are going to have a face-off at the Fortuna Arena.

After their disastrous run during the FIFA World Cup 2026, Czechia have now appointed Santi Denia as their new head coach. Repre faced two losses at the mega competition and one of their matches ended in a draw. They are now eager to fix the mistakes and turn the tide around.

The Czech Republic national football team need a strong hold on their defence. They were only able to score two goals at the World Cup, which means somewhere down the line they lack urgency in the final third. Denia’s men will be looking to use this home ground advantage to their advantage.

The Croatia national football team have also gone through a managerial change after their loss to Portugal in the round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup. With Slaven Bilić appointed as their new manager, it will be interesting to see the performances of Vatreni in the UEFA Nations League.

They will be looking to control the game from the start and not miss out on chances in the final third. Croatia also need improvement in their defence. They should also look to come up with a strong counter-attack.

Kick-off:

• Location: Prague, Czechia
• Stadium: Fortuna Arena
• Date: Sunday, September 27
• Kick-off Time: 12:15 AM IST (Saturday, Sept 26; 06:45 pm GMT/ 02:45 am ET/ 11:45 am PT)
• Referee: TBA
• VAR: In use

Form:

Czechia: W-W-L-D-L

Croatia: W-L-W-W-L

Players to Watch

Pavel Sulc (Czechia)

The 25-year-old forward will be looking to step up his game so that he can get his side off to a winning start in the UEFA Nations League. He has been in a decent run of form for his club Lyon since the beginning of the season. He will now be looking to help the Czech Republic national football team.

He can be deployed as an attacking midfielder and also a striker.

Ante Budimir (Croatia)

Ante Budimir has shown some good performances for CA Osasuna since the beginning of the new season. He will now be looking to replicate them for the Croatia national football team. In 41 appearances for his country, the 35-year-old has fired the ball into the back of the net seven times.

He will be looking to add more to his tally.

Match Facts

• Czechia are winless in their last three matches.
• Croatia have two wins to their name in their last three attempts.
• Three of the last five outings between these nations have ended in a draw.

Betting Tips & Odds

• Croatia to win @6/5 Unibet
• Ande Budimir to score @15/8 Unibet
• Goals under 3.5 @5/11 Unibet

Injury and Team News

All of the squad members for both Czechia and Croatia are fit to be in action.

Head-to-Head

Matches played: 6

Czechia (wins): 0

Croatia (wins): 2

Draws: 4

Predicted Lineups

Czechia predicted XI (3-5-2)

Kovar (GK); Vitik, Hranac, Krejci; Coufal, Kral, Cerv, Sadilek, Karabec; Sulc, Hlozek

Croatia predicted XI (4-2-3-1)

Livakovic (GK); Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol; Modric, Kovacic; Vlasic, Sucic, Baturina; Budimir

Match Prediction

Czech Republic haven’t secured a win against Croatia before and will be looking to do so this time around. Being at home will give a lot of confidence to the hosts.

Still, the Vatreni are likely to come out on top and secure three points.

Prediction: Czechia 0-2 Croatia

Telecast Details

India: Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV

UK: Prime Video UK, S4C

Spain: RTVE PLAY

USA: FOX Sports, FuboTV, ViX

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