Croatia v Portugal: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Croatia face a crucial UEFA Nations League clash in Group A1 when they welcome Portugal to Stadion Poljud on Monday evening.

Portugal have already secured their place in the quarter-finals as group winners, as they sit six points ahead of second-placed Croatia heading into the final round of fixtures.

Vatreni will qualify for the last-eight stage if they avoid defeat against A Selecao das Quinas or Scotland, who sit bottom of the pool, do not beat Poland.

A defeat for Croatia and a victory for the Scots would mean the pair will have to be split for second and third place using the tiebreaker criteria, with overall goal difference first, then overall goals scored, away goals scored, total wins and overall away wins.

It all makes for an nervous end to the Nations League for Croatia, who are without a win in their last two matches and will be desperate to wrap up second place.

Croatia v Portugal betting tips and predictions

Croatia to win - 21/10

The pressure will be on Croatia heading into the final round of fixtures but they will be buoyed by the fact that Portugal, already through as group winners, have decided to send several key players home early from international duty.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto and Bruno Fernandes, who would have been suspended for this clash anyway, going back to their clubs earlier than anticipated.

While head coach Roberto Martinez still has plenty of talent at his disposal, the starting XI he puts out on Monday could be a little disjointed and Croatia could take full advantage.

Although Vatreni are on a two-game run without a win, they have been reduced to 10 men in both of those clashes, drawing 3-3 in Poland before then conceding late in Friday's 1-0 defeat in Scotland.

They battled valiantly against the Scots at Hampden Park and will have felt hard done by that they didn't manage to come away with anything after those efforts.

But Croatia now return to home soil and they have won both matches Nations League games in their own backyard, beating Poland 1-0 at the Opus Arena and then Scotland 2-1 at Stadion Maksimir.

Vatreni are unbeaten in their last four home fixtures in this competition, winning three and drawing one, and they should have enough to overcome a much-changed Portugal side.

Andrej Kramaric to score at any time - 13/5

Croatia will be hoping for a goal from anywhere on the pitch on Monday as they aim to secure second place and a spot in the quarter-finals, but one of the best avenues looks to be striker Andrej Kramaric.

The 33-year-old's form for Hoffenheim this season has tailed off after a strong start, with no goals in his last six appearances for the German outfit, but he remains an integral player for his country.

Kramaric has scored 30 goals for Vatreni, averaging around one every three games, so he is due to find the back of the net after failing to do so in his last two international outings.

He did score in the 2-1 triumph over Scotland in Croatia's last home assignment and the former Leicester City ace can step up to the mark again.

Marin Pongracic to be booked - 12/5

Croatia are set to welcome back some key first-team players for this crucial encounter, but they may be forced into a change at the back after Kristijan Jakic came off with an injury in the dying embers of the loss to Scotland.

His potential absence could present a starting opportunity to Marin Pongracic, who is primarily a centre-back but will have to be shoe-horned into a right-back role here.

The 27-year-old picked up 10 yellows and a red for Lecce last season before then making the switch to Fiorentina in the summer, where he has made just four appearances.

Pongracic has made his mark for his new employers, but not for the right reasons, as he has has been shown three yellows and a red already.

Likely to be played out of his favoured position, the defender looks like a prime candidate to go in the book once again.

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Croatia v Portugal odds

Croatia - 21/10
Draw - 9/4
Portugal - 11/8

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.