Czechia vs Croatia Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

The Vatreni dominated the proceedings when these teams last faced each other.

The Czechia national football team are all set to host the Croatia national football team in their round 7 fixture of the UEFA FIFA World Cup qualifiers. This will be an interesting contest, which is scheduled to take place at the Fortuna Arena.

The Czech Republic national football team will be at home, and it is going to be a big advantage for them. They have won four of their five World Cup qualifying fixtures.

Czechia last secured an easy win against Montenegro by a score line of 2-0. The upcoming contest is going to be a tough affair for them.

📸 Back on the pitch together 🇨🇿 pic.twitter.com/X4olGsFeFb

— Czech Football National Team (@ceskarepre_eng) October 6, 2025

The Vatreni, on the other hand, are on a winning spree in their last few matches. They have performed exceptionally well in all four of their FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Despite being away from home, the Croatia national football team will be feeling confident. They are now looking to extend their winning run.

Kick-off:

• Location: Prague, Czechia
• Stadium: Fortuna Arena
• Date: Friday, October 10
• Kick-off Time: 12:15 a.m. IST (Thursday, Oct 9; 06:45 p.m. GMT/ 02:45 p.m. ET/ 11:45 a.m. PT)
• Referee: François Letexier
• VAR: In use

Form:

Czechia: W-W-L-W-D

Croatia: L-W-W-W-W

Players to Watch

Tomas Soucek (Czechia)

The West Ham United midfielder will be looking to step up so that he can help the Czech national football team stand a chance against the Vatreni. Tomas Soucek will be keen on dropping a top performance, which might even help his side secure a win in their upcoming fixture.

Luka Modric (Croatia)

Luka Modric is once again ready to lead the Croatia national football team. The 40-year-old continues to impress everyone on the field in club football. Modric has been giving top performances for AC Milan.

With his current form, he is not going to slow down any time soon. He is going to be a constant threat to the opponents here.

Limitless! 🤯 Following first five @SerieA matchdays, #Croatia captain @lukamodric10 leads the league in:🔸 Completed passes 3⃣0⃣0⃣🔸 Completed passes in the opposing half 1⃣6⃣9⃣🔸 Line-breaking passes 4⃣6⃣🔸 Possessions won 3⃣1⃣🔸 Interceptions 1⃣0⃣ 📸 @acmilan #Family… pic.twitter.com/y6eOArJuJ1

— HNS (@HNS_CFF) September 30, 2025

Match Facts

• Czechia have never won a match against Croatia.
• The Vatreni are on a four-match winning streak.
• Two of the four matches between these teams have ended in a draw.

Czech Republic vs Croatia: Betting Tips and Odds

• Croatia to win @6/4 BetFred
• Goals over 3.5 @19/5 Paddy Power
• Andrej Kramaric to score @6/1 AK Bets

Injury and Team News

The Czechia team will miss out on the services of Vítězslav Jaroš and Jindřich staněk as they are injured. They are replaced by Martin Jedlička and Lukáš Horníček.

🇨🇿 Goalkeepers Vítězslav Jaroš and Jindřich staněk are out of the national team squad due to injuries. 🧤 Martin Jedlička and Lukáš Horníček replace them ahead of the matches against Croatia and the Faroe Islands. #WCQ pic.twitter.com/2hRcxmQmvB

— Czech Football National Team (@ceskarepre_eng) October 6, 2025

The Croatia national team might miss out on Josip Stanisic as he is not fit enough.

Head-to-Head

Total matches: 4

Czechia won: 0

Croatia won: 2

Draws: 2

Predicted Lineups

Czechia predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Stanek (GK); Coufal, Vitik, Krejcí, Zeleny; Cerv, Soucek; Provod, Sulc, Kusej; Vydra

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

Livakovic (GK); Jakic, Sutalo, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol; Modric, Sucic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic; Ivanovic

Match Prediction

These teams have come up with close contests in past. However, this one might come with a different outcome.

The Croatia national football team are likely to come out on top and defeat Czechia in their upcoming World Cup qualifier.

Prediction: Czechia 1-3 Croatia

Telecast Details

India: Star Sports Network, SonyLiv

UK: Prime Video UK

USA: Disney+, Fox Sports, Fubo TV, ViX

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