Croatia, after a disappointing Euro campaign where they failed to advance from the group stage, won their qualification group with 22 points from eight matches. However, things did not go as smoothly in friendlies—they lost to Brazil in March and Belgium in June, but managed a 2-1 win over Slovenia in the last friendly. Already at the tournament, they put up a fight against England but ultimately lost 2-4. The match against Panama was also tough, but they managed to scrape a 1-0 win.
The Ghanaian national team confidently topped their qualifying group, earning 25 points in ten games. However, they failed to qualify for AFCON and suffered five consecutive defeats in friendlies, securing only a draw against Wales. At the World Cup, they snatched a win over Panama with a lone goal in stoppage time (90+ minute), and then held England to a goalless draw in the second round.
The European team scores an average of 1.7 goals per match, conceding fewer—1.4 on average. The African side scores only one goal per match on average, while conceding about 1.3.
Previous Matches: Croatia vs Ghana
This will be the first ever head-to-head encounter between the national teams.
Dalic’s men are expected to win, but a more pragmatic bet is on “under 2.5 goals” (odds – 1.65).
Croatia vs Ghana: Key Statistics and Trends
Croatia have won six of their last nine matches
60% of Croatia’s matches end with both teams scoring, and the average total goals per match is 3.1
Ghana are unbeaten in their last three games
30% of Ghana’s matches end with both teams scoring, and the average total goals per match is 2.3
Croatia vs Ghana: Probable Starting Lineups
Croatia play in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (probable lineup): Livaković – Gvardiol, Pongračić, Šutalo, Stanišić – Kovačić, Modrić – Perišić, Baturina, Pašalić – Budimir
Ghana play in a 1-4-1-4-1 formation (probable lineup): Asare – Mensah, Opoku, Adjetey, Senaya – Partey – Semenyo, Sibo, Jirenkyi, Williams – Ayew.
