UEFA Nations League 2022/23 – France vs Croatia, match preview, predicted lineups
France will take on Croatia in both of their’s fourth match and last of the month in Nations League 2022/23 as the competition moves ahead. Both teams will be looking for a win here.
Kick-off : 8:45 PM (Local)
Venue : Stade de France, Saint-Denis
France are not in their prime and zone the defending world champions as they would have liked to be in but they will like to make a comeback. So far they are winless in League A Group 1.
Les Bleus are currently bottom in the points table after 3 games with 2 points. They drew last time against Austria 1-1 away with Kylian Mbappe to the rescue. In the reverse fixture against Croatia, France also drew 1-1 in Split.
Manager Didier Deschamps will deploy a 4-2-3-1 against the Croats to tackle them well defensively and score to win.
On the other hand, Croatia too are not having the ideal Nations League campaign but will look to get things back on track with impressive performances in games to come.
The Croats are currently 3rd in the points table after 3 games with 4 points. They won their last fixture in Denmark courtesy of a goal from Mario Pasalic.
Their manager Zlatko Dalic will likely use a 4-2-3-1 formation too to trouble the French in their own backyard.
Team news and possible lineups
N’Golo Kante is injured for France and hence won’t play. While Wissam Ben Yedder is available and might play.
As for Croatia, there are no fresh injury concerns.
France XI : Maignan, Kounde, Saliba, Kimpembe, Clauss, Guendouzi, Tchouameni, T. Hernandez, Nkunku, Mbappe, Ben Yedder.
Croatia XI : Livakovic, Stanisic, Vida, Caleta-Car, Juranovic, Modric, Kovacic, Vlasic, Pasalic, Orsic, Kramaric.
Prediction
France start as favourites in home conditions and I expect them to win this one 1-0.
