Croatia vs Albania Prediction & Betting Tips | 19/06/2024 | Football
Predictions

Croatia vs Albania Prediction & Betting Tips | 19/06/2024 | Football

Posted on by Matthew Reynolds

Our prediction for this Euro 2024 match:

Croatia

Croatia

Albania

Albania

Croatia will be aiming to recover from a heavy (3-0) loss to Spain when they take on Albania in their second group game. The “Vatreni” failed to impress in their EURO 2024 opener, but they are still seen as hot favourites to beat Albania at Volksparkstadion. Osasuna attacker Ante Budimir should drop to the bench, with Bruno Petkovic likely to step up despite failing to convert a penalty against La Roja. There are no fresh injury worries in Zlatko Dalic’s team.

The Albanians, on the other hand, produced a fine performance in a 2-1 loss to Italy. A man to watch in the away team will be Nedim Bajrami, who scored the fastest goal in Euros history at the weekend. Anyhow, home win should be considered as Croatia boss Dalic has a number of top-class players to choose from, including Luka Modric, Josko Guardiol, and Mateo Kovacic. As for the nominal visitors, both Arber Hoxha and Armando Broja are one yellow card away from suspension.

This match will be played on 19/06/2024
at 15:00

Prediction:
2-1

Highlighted Player (Luka Modric):

Luka Modric

Luka Modric is regarded as one of the best central midfielders in world football. The Croatian ace is a product of Dinamo Zagreb’s youth school and it has to be noted that he played 94 league games for the Modri between 2003 and 2008. In 2008 he signed a six-year deal with Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of £16.5 million.

Luka made his Tottenham debut on 16 August, 2008 in a 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough at Riverside Stadium. The Croatian star scored only 13 goals in 127 league appearances for the Spurs, but he is well known for his brilliant passing. In 2012 he signed for Real Madrid for a fee of £30 million and he made his debut against Barcelona in the 2012 Spanish Super Cup, return leg.

Modric quickly established himself as a first-team regular and, no doubt, he helped the capital club win two Champions League trophies (2013/2014, 2015/2016). You should bear in mind that he was named Croatian Footballer of the Year in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2014.

Highlighted Team (Albania):

Albania

The Albanian national football team has represented the country on international stage since 1946, and it is interesting to note that Albania was one of the founding members of UEFA back in 1954. The Eagles have enjoyed very little success in the 20th century, but they managed to show some improvement at the turn of the century and eventually secured their first ever appearance at a major tournament.

Albania qualified for the Euro 2016 finals as they came second in their qualifying group behind Portugal, taking 14 points from 8 matches, with Italian coach Gianni De Biasi at the helm. The Eagles have never qualified for the World Cup finals in 11 attempts, winning mere 14 of 94 World Cup qualifiers.

Former Lazio defender Lorik Cana has worn the captain’s armband over the last few years and he is Albania’s most capped player, while former Chievo forward Erjon Bogdani still holds the record for most goals for the national team, with 18 strikes in 74 appearances.