Friendly Internationals Preview: Croatia VS Belgium - prediction, team news, lineups

[(Croatia) Strength]:
1. Croatia's current squad is led by Modric, with Perisic, Kovacic, and others all selected. The highest-valued player is Manchester City center-back Gvardiol, currently valued at 70 million euros.
2. Croatia performed very strongly in the previous World Cup qualifiers, winning 7 and drawing 1 in 8 matches, securing top spot in Group L with an unbeaten record and earning a direct spot in the World Cup finals.
3. Croatia have strong offensive firepower, scoring 12 goals in their last 5 international matches, averaging over 2 goals per game.
4. Croatia have a very strong home record, winning 9 and drawing 1 in their last 10 international home matches, remaining unbeaten.
 

[(Croatia) Neutral]:
1. The last meeting between the two sides was in the 2022 World Cup group stage, where they drew 0-0, showing they are evenly matched.
 

[(Croatia) Weakness]:
1. Croatia lost 1-3 to Brazil in their last friendly, ending their 9-game unbeaten streak in international matches.
2. Croatia have significant defensive issues, conceding 7 goals in their last 5 international matches, only keeping a clean sheet against European minnows Gibraltar.
 

[(Belgium) Strength]:
1. Belgium forward Lukebakio scored a goal in the last friendly, helping the team equalize. He has scored 3 goals in the last two international matches, showing impressive individual performance.
2. Belgium drew 1-1 with Mexico in their last friendly, extending their unbeaten streak to 11 international matches. In the World Cup qualifiers, they won 5 and drew 3, advancing as Group J leaders to the World Cup finals.
3. Belgium's offense is in full swing, scoring 18 goals in their last 5 international matches, averaging nearly 4 goals per game.
4. Belgium are highly competitive away from home, remaining unbeaten with 3 wins and 2 draws in their last 5 international away matches.
5. Belgium are currently ranked 9th in the world, slightly higher than Croatia's 11th place.
 

[(Belgium) Weakness]:
1. Belgium's defense has been subpar, conceding 6 goals in their last 5 international matches, averaging 1.2 goals per game.
 

[Tips]:
Croatia performed impressively in the World Cup qualifiers, remaining unbeaten in 8 rounds and advancing smoothly as group leaders. However, they recently lost to Brazil in a friendly, indicating room for improvement in tough matches.

Belgium also advanced from the World Cup qualifiers with an unbeaten record, securing points in their last two friendlies and extending their unbeaten streak to 11 games. The team boast strong offensive firepower and outstanding away performance.

Although Croatia have home field advantage, they failed to earn the bookies' favor. This match favors Belgium.
 

[Recommended]:
Belgium (0)