Croatia v Slovenia Prediction: 11/10 Kramaric to grab his chance

Croatia will once more wish to showcase their overachieving nous on the international stage at this summer's World Cup in North America.

The former Yugoslav nation made their debut only in 1998 - where they took third spot in France - and have been finalists in Russia and semi-finalists in Qatar at the last two World Cups.

Boss Zlatko Dalic has been in charge for both of those most recent editions and remains in situ now, with a squad laced with experience.

Croatia v Slovenia Tips Summary

Best Bet - Croatia to win & Both teams to score - No @ 1/1
Alternative Bet - Andrej Kramaric anytime goalscorer @ 11/10
Bet Builder - Half-Time/Full-Time - Draw/Croatia, Over 6 corners & Most goals in 2nd half @ 5/1

Croatia v Slovenia Prediction

Best Bet: Croatia to win & Both teams to score - No @ 1/1

Croatia were beaten 2-0 by Belgium in Rijeka on Tuesday despite typically having the lion's share of possession and recording a higher expected-goals figure.

They take on their neighbours now and should be able to return to winning ways after defeats to Brazil in March and the Red Devils. Prior to that they were on a nine-game unbeaten sequence.

Slovenia failed to win any of their World Cup qualifiers (D4, L2) as they finished behind Switzerland and Kosovo in Group B, scoring just three goals.

They did beat Montenegro 3-2 in March but were held by 10-man Cyprus earlier this week. Manchester United forward Benjamin Sesko misses out for the visiting side and is a major loss.

They may struggle to get a foothold here as Croatia are likely to dominate the ball. A home win to nil, as it was in the most recent competitive meeting on Croatian soil in 2021, seems likely.

Alternative Bet: Andrej Kramaric anytime goalscorer @ 11/10

Hoffenheim forward Andrej Kramaric signed off the Bundesliga season with four goals and an assist in his last five games.

The now 34-year-old has a decade behind him in Germany and has fired double figures in goals in nine of his 10 seasons.

Kramaric broke the deadlock when these sides last met in a friendly in Qatar in 2022 en route to the World Cup.

Petar Musa led the line against Belgium with limited impact, with Kramaric getting a cameo inside the final 20 minutes. He should see more game time here and can add to his 36 international goals.

Croatia v Slovenia Bet Builder Tip

• Half-Time/Full-Time - Draw/Croatia

• Over 6 corners

• Most goals in 2nd half

  Pays 5/1

It's fair to anticipate Croatia will dominate the ball in this clash and it may take them some time to wear down Slovenia.

Croatia have conceded first in each of their last five games, so they will be wary. Slovenia's final four World Cup qualifiers produced just one first half goal.

Dalic's side can be frustratingly patient in possession at times and, with their flights to North America due after this contest, a high-intensity game seems unlikely, making the half-time stalemate before a home win appeal, with most goals to come after the interval in what could be a game of few goals.

Over six corners completes this bet builder.

There were seven in Croatia's defeat to Belgium and 13 in Slovenia's draw with Cyprus. Each of Slovenia's last five games have featured at least 10 corners, averaging at 10.66 per game.

Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.

Key Match Stats

• Croatia have lost just one of 12 previous meetings with neighbours Slovenia (W7, D4).

• Slovenia have failed to score in their last three away defeats.

• Croatia have conceded first in each of their last five games.

•  Andrej Kramaric has netted 10+ goals for Hoffenheim in nine of the last 10 seasons.

• Croatia are ranked 11th in the world, Slovenia are down in 58th.

• The hosts lost 2-0 to Belgium on Tuesday, while Slovenia drew with 10-man Cyprus on Thursday.

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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.