Croatia vs Scotland prediction, betting tips and odds: Scotland losing streak could be extended

Where to watch Croatia vs Scotland

You can watch Croatia vs Scotland in the Nations League on the Viaplay International YouTube channel at 5pm on Saturday, October 12th.

Match prediction & best bet

Croatia & under 3.5 goals
1pt 5-4 BoyleSports, Coral, Ladbrokes

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Croatia vs Scotland odds

Croatia 4-7
Scotland 5-1
Draw 16-5

Odds correct at time of publishing

Croatia vs Scotland predictions

Scotland followed their disappointing showing at Euro 2024 with back-to-back Nations League defeats and their pointless start to the campaign is set to continue with a loss to Croatia in Zagreb.

Steve Clarke has been Scotland's head coach since May 2019 and can look back with plenty of satisfaction having presided over qualifications for Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.

However, the 61-year-old came under pressure after Scotland's first-round exit at Euro 2024 this summer and is finding it difficult to turn the tide with his team toiling in the Nations League's top tier.

Clarke's side began their Group A1 campaign with a disappointing 3-2 loss at home to Poland and followed it with a 2-1 reverse away to Portugal, which would have felt more painful because they led 1-0 at the break thanks to a superb Scott McTominay header.

Scotland are now facing a battle to avoid finishing bottom and suffering the fate of automatic relegation.

And their chances of a positive result against Croatia are reduced by a mounting injury crisis.

Attacking midfielder John McGinn is among the long list of absentees and his loss removes one of the team's few genuine attacking threats.

It leaves 11-goal midfielder McTominay as the top scorer in the squad, but the Napoli player's attacking instincts may have to be curbed by the need to provide some protection to a suspect Scottish defence.

Croatia also have their injury problems and are not the force they were a few years ago.

However, they possess quality in key areas and should dominate the midfield with classy duo Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic pulling the strings.

Offensively they rely a lot on Andrej Kramaric, although the Hoffenheim striker has shown his worth this season by scoring four goals in five Bundesliga matches.

Kramaric could be joined by Eintracht Frankfurt's 21-year-old target man Igor Matanovic, who has broken into his club side's starting eleven in recent weeks.

Croatia's offensive limitations have been evident with Zlatko Dalic's side scoring more than one goal in just one of their last six competitive games.

However, they were 1-0 victors at home to Poland last time out and are likely to achieve another low-scoring success.

Key stat

Scotland have lost their last three matches

Croatia vs Scotland team news

Croatia
Marin Pongracic, Lovro Majer and Josip Stanisic are sidelined and Josip Sutalo and Ivan Perisic are doubts. Mateo Kovacic missed training earlier in the week but will be given every chance to feature.

Scotland
Angus Gunn and Greg Taylor have withdrawn from the squad, joining Lawrence Shankland, John McGinn, Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson and Kieran Tierney on a long list of absentees.

Probable teams

Croatia (3-5-2): Livakovic; Erlic, Sutalo, Gvardiol; Pjaca, Kovacic, Modric, Pasalic, Sosa; Matanovic, Kramaric.
Subs: Caleta-Car, Baturina, L Sucic, Jakic, Petkovic, Orsic, Budimir.

Scotland (4-2-3-1): Gordon; Ralston, Hanley, Souttar, Robertson; McClean, Gilmour; Doak, McTominay, Christie; Adams.
Subs: Porteous, Forrest, Morgan, Gauld, Dykes, Nisbet, Lindsay.

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