The 2022-23 UEFA Nations League is set for a crunch final and these Croatia vs. Spain predictions are for a match that will decide a new champion. Croatia needed extra time to edge out hosts the Netherlands in the semi-finals, as Spain snatched a late 2-1 win over Italy.
Croatia vs. Spain odds
1 – Spain to win – 21/20
2 – Over 2.5 goals scored – 23/20
3 – Both teams to score – 10/11
4 – Joselu to score anytime – 13/8
5 – Spain to win 2-1 – 8/1
The UEFA Nations League will have a first-time winner this season, as Croatia and Spain prepare to fight it out in Rotterdam.
Both sides secured a dramatic passage into the final. Croatia once again showed their durability to go beyond the 90th-minute mark with a 4-2 extra time win seeing them past the Netherlands. Spain were forced to wait until the dying stages of normal time to squeeze past Italy, when Joselu came off the bench to score the winner.
Both sides have slipped up to British opposition in the Euro 2024 qualifiers in March, with Spain losing to Scotland and Croatia drawing with Wales.
Form is very tight between these two teams but Spain seem to have a slight edge, including a 5-3 Euro 2020 win over Zlatko Dalic’s team.
Both semi-finals included over 2.5 total goals scored and that pattern is expected to continue in the final based on the firepower on display in the two teams. Spain have scored five goals from three games since the start of 2023, with Croatia netting seven in that period.
The experience of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Perisic was crucial in getting Croatia to this stage – and it is a veteran star that is also proving to be vital in Luis de la Fuente’s Spain. Espanyol striker Joselu netted 16 La Liga goals as the Catalan side were relegated from La Liga at the back end of 2022-23, but his form remains very sharp.
He scored twice on his international debut in March’s 3-0 win over Norway, before the 33-year-old poked home the winner against Italy in the semi-final. Victory for Spain would be a major boost for de la Fuente but it would continue Croatia’s frustrating record in finals.
How to stream Croatia vs. Spain
You can watch Croatia vs. Spain live on Sunday night on Viaplay Sports.
Croatia vs. Spain last five matches
Croatia last five matches
Spain last five matches
Croatia top goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 3 | |
| 2 | |
| 2 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 |
Spain top goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 3 | |
| 2 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 |
Croatia vs. Spain line-ups
Croatia (4-3-3): Livakovic; Juranovic, Vida, Sutalo, Barisic; Kovacic, Modric, Brozovic; Perisic, Kramaric, Pasalic
Spain (4-3-3): Kepa; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Alba; Zubimendi, Rodri, Gavi; Asensio, Morata, Pino
Croatia team news
Despite the prospect of another long night, Dalic is prepared to ask his battle-hardened players to go the distance again, with minimum changes expected. Borna Barisic could return to the defence to allow Ivan Perisic to return to a forward role.
Spain team news
De la Fuente is also in line to make just one change from the starting team that beat Italy, with outgoing Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio tipped to replace Leeds United’s Rodrigo Moreno. Joselu is set to be used as an asset from the bench again.