Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Croatia
Match Time & Date:
07/09/2021
11:45 AM
Prediction: 1-0
Slovenia
There will be fireworks when Croatia and Slovenia, the two neighboring countries, face each other at Stadion Poljud in the Group H derby. The Croats are without key midfielder Luka Modric in the September qualifiers, but they did well to beat Slovakia even without the Real Madrid ace in the starting XI. Dinamo Zagreb winger Mislav Orsic should keep his place in the starting XI, as well as Malmo top scorer Antonio Colak.
The Zmajceki, on the other hand, aim to build on a hard-fought 1-0 win over Malta. Since Slovenia are likely to rely on their defence in Tuesday’s clash as well, we believe that there is a big value in betting on under 2.5 goals. When the two teams met in Ljubljana earlier in the process Slovenia defeated Croatia 1-0 thanks to Sandi Lovric’s goal. The good news for the visitors is that Serie A ace Josip Ilicic returns from suspension.
Highlighted Player (Luka Modric):
Luka Modric is regarded as one of the best central midfielders in world football. The Croatian ace is a product of Dinamo Zagreb’s youth school and it has to be noted that he played 94 league games for the Modri between 2003 and 2008. In 2008 he signed a six-year deal with Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of £16.5 million.
Luka made his Tottenham debut on 16 August, 2008 in a 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough at Riverside Stadium. The Croatian star scored only 13 goals in 127 league appearances for the Spurs, but he is well known for his brilliant passing. In 2012 he signed for Real Madrid for a fee of £30 million and he made his debut against Barcelona in the 2012 Spanish Super Cup, return leg.
Modric quickly established himself as a first-team regular and, no doubt, he helped the capital club win two Champions League trophies (2013/2014, 2015/2016). You should bear in mind that he was named Croatian Footballer of the Year in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2014.
Highlighted Team (Slovenia):
Slovenia have been competing on the international stage following the split of Yugoslavia in 1991. The Slovenians were outclassed by France in their first unofficial match (0-5), whilst they shared the spoils with Estonia in their first official game (1-1).
The former Yugoslav republic participated at three major football tournaments, with the team making it to the FIFA World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea (2002) and South Africa 2010, whilst booking their place at the Euro 2000 which was hosted by Netherlands and Belgium. Slovenia, though, have yet to make it to the knockout stages of the major tournament and that remains their unfulfilled dream.
Srecko Katanec and Zlatko Zahovic are regarded as the most famous footballers who played for the Slovenian national football team and they were part of Slovenia’s “Golden generation”. The Slovenians, who recorded their biggest win against Oman in 1999, welcome their rivals at Ljudski vrt in Stozice and the capacity of the venue is 12.702.
Milan 
Juventus 
Man City
Tottenham
Celta Vigo 
Barcelona 
Southampton
Liverpool
Ipswich
Manchester United
Napoli
AS Roma
