On Monday, France will host Croatia (1-1-1) at Stade de France in Paris (0 wins, 1 defeat, 2 draws). The fourth of six group stage games will begin at 2:45 p.m. ET. We preview the odds and lines for France vs. Croatia below, as well as our top UEFA Nations League bets, choices, and predictions.
In this round of the group stage, just a few top games will be highlighted by the two global soccer powerhouses. Surprisingly, both teams are currently in third and fourth place in League A Group 1 play.
France has only two points, while Croatia is tied with Austria for fourth place with four points. Croatia, on the other hand, has a minus-2 goal differential, whereas Austria’s is 2. With six points, Denmark leads the group.
M Luka Modri, the Croatian captain, is coming off a Champions League title with Real Madrid. Croatia has struggled to score goals, with only two goals in three games.
Croatia has already qualified for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, despite being rated 16th in the world by FIFA. No. 3 France has also qualified for the competition and is one of the favorites to win it.
France is led by Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid and Karim Benzema of Real Madrid. F PSG Kylian Mbappe is another key member of the team. France has drawn Austria and Croatia 1-1 each, while losing to Denmark 2-1.
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France vs. Croatia odds, lines, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 11:48 p.m. ET.
France -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Croatia +550 (bet $100 to win $550) | Draw +3302.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Prediction
France defeats Croatia 2-0.
FRANCE IS GETTING LEAN (-200).
France is the far superior side, and it will be playing at home in this one. My concern here is the value on France at -200. It hasn’t looked great despite playing several of its top-tier players.
Against Austria, France had more than double the shots on goal and had more than double the shots against Denmark, who beat them 2-1. Even Croatia played them well but only drew by a penalty kick.
France has the favorite to win the Ballon d’Or in Benzema and also one of the best defensive mids in the world in Chelsea’s N’Golo Kanté. The team is deep and has a plethora of top European talent.
Considering Croatia has only scored 2 goals in 3 games, I expect those struggles to continue while France, given the pace of Mbappe and Benzema should be enough to get on the board enough to take home 3 points.
BET UNDER 2.5 (+100).
Both teams have struggled to produce. Also, both sides are 1-2 O/U so far in the nations league. Croatia held Denmark, who scored 2 on France, to just 1 shot on goal in the road side’s most recent matchup.
France has allowed 4 goals but also has limited opponents shot on target.
There were 10 shots on target in the first matchup between these 2 teams. The possessions were split 48% Croatia to 52% France, so it was a well-paced battle.
With how the teams have played so far in the group stage, the Under 2.5 (+100) is the best bet in this game.
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