Venue: Groupama Arena (Budapest)

Live Stream: fuboTV (US), bet365 (non-US)

Head to head record

Hungary vs Croatia 1-1 (2008 Friendly International)
Croatia vs Hungary 0-0 (2006 World Cup qualifiers)
Croatia vs Hungary 3-0 (2006 World Cup qualifiers)
Hungary vs Croatia 0-2 (2002 Friendly International)
Croatia vs Hungary 4-1 (1996 Friendly International)

Hungary vs Croatia prediction

Having recorded a routine 2-0 win over Israel on Wednesday evening, Croatia will be looking to extend their winning run to five games when they take on Hungary at Groupama Arena in Budapest on Saturday afternoon.

First warm-up game

It has been 44 years since Hungary last participate at the European Championship finals. The Nemzeti Tizenegy did remarkably well to qualify for Euro 2016 finals in France and they kick off their preparations for the tournament with a match against Croatia. Bernd Storck’s team outplayed Norway in the Euro 2016 play-offs and they will be looking to build on the back-to-back wins over the Nordic side when they square off against Ante Cacic’s troops on Saturday. Hungary are a real force to be reckoned with at home and it has to be noted that the team are on a five-game unbeaten run at home ground ahead of the visit of Croatia. Bursaspor winger Balazs Dzsudzsak is undisputedly the team’s key player and he is likely to play an important role in Bernd Stock’s team at the Euro 2016 finals, where they will face the likes of Portugal, Austria and Iceland in Group F.

Youngster Bernabas Bese has received his first ever call-up and he could make his Hungary debut against Croatia. Gergo Lovrensics was forced to withdraw from the squad through illness. Former Watford striker Tamas Priskin is pushing for a start, whilst Tamas Kadar is unlikely to be risked as he has been struggling with an ankle injury.

Routine win over Israel

As expected, Croatia recorded a routine 2-0 win over Israel in their second warm-up game for the Euro 2016 finals. The Vatreni extended their winning run to four games in all competitions, but they do not want to stop now. Ante Cacic’s men aim to keep on making progress in days to come as they have big ambitions for the showpiece tournament in France. The Croatian boss has a number of top-class players and seeing that he will count on the likes of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic for the Hungary game, it is no surprise the former Yugoslavian republic are regarded as favourites to win the Groupama Arena clash. Ivan Rakitic was rested against Israel, but the Barcelona ace should return to the starting line-up and he is certainly capable of posing a big threat for the opposition back line.

Milan Badelj and Nikola Kalinic are both likely to miss the match through illness, while Josip Pivaric and Marko Pjaca remain in the recovery room through injury. Coach Ante Cacic has no other fresh injury worries ahead of the trip to Budapest.

Quick Facts

• Under 2.5 goals were scored in three of last four meetings between the two teams
• Hungary scored only one goal in last three encounters against Croatia
• Croats are eyeing their fifth consecutive win in all competitions
• Ante Cacic’s team scored 2+ goals in three of their last four games
• Hungary are on a five-match unbeaten run on home soil

Hungary vs Croatia betting tip

Both Hungary and Croatia will participate at the Euro 2016 finals and no doubt both sides want to prepare in the best possible way for the showpiece tournament in France. Croatia proved their worth in the 2-0 win over Israel and seeing that coach Ante Cacic can count on all of his key players for the Hungary game, I am tempted to put my money on the Vatreni this time out.

Tip: Croatia to win

Odds: 2.00 (1/1) @Betfair

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Daily Specials

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Venue: Stadion Gradski vrt (Osijek)

Live Stream: fuboTV (US), bet365 (non-US)

Head to head record

Croatia vs Israel 3-1 (2011, Euro 2012 qualifiers)
Israel vs Croatia 1-2 (2010, Euro 2012 qualifiers)
Croatia vs Israel 1-0 (2007, Euro 2008 qualifiers)
Israel vs Croatia 3-4 (2006, Euro 2008 qualifiers)
Israel vs Croatia 3-3 (2005, Friendly International)

Croatia vs Israel betting tip

Croatia will be looking to extend their winning run to four matches when they take on their old rivals Israel in Wednesday’s international friendly. The Blue and White are after their first ever win over the Vatreni and it remains to be seen if they are capable of upsetting the Croats in Osijek.

Fine performance in first warm-up game

Despite the fact that coach Ante Cacic could not count on several first-team regulars for the friendly game against Russia, Croatia did well to beat the Eastern European giants in their first warm-up game for the Euro 2016 finals. The Croats have big ambitions for the tournament in France, but it has to be noted that they have been handed a very tough draw. Ante Cacic’s troops will face the likes of Czech Republic, Spain and Turkey in the “Group of Death”, meaning that they will have to be at their sharpest if they are to record a good result at the European Championship finals. Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic and Real Madrid starlet Luka Modric will be the men to watch in the home team and the duo is likely to pose a big threat for the opposition back line.

Josip Pivaric and Marko Pjaca both miss the game with injury, while Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic both return to contention after missing the Russia game. Fiorentina ace Nikola Kalinic, who is enjoying a season to remember, is pushing for a start.

Israel still without a coach

Despite kicking off their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign in style, Israel eventually failed to book their place at the European Championship finals. The Israeli finished their campaign in 4^th place in Group B and they now begin preparations for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Eli Gutman left the Israeli national team five months ago, but the FA has yet to find an adequate replacement for the experienced tactician. Many candidates will be considered in days to come and it remains to be seen who will be announced at the team’s new coach. Anyhow, Israeli players will give 100% to spoil Croatia’s party at Stadion Gradski vrt in Wednesday’s friendly game. The good news for the fans is that experienced midfielder Yossi Benayoun has earned Israel recall for the Croatia game and all eyes will be on him when the two sides take on each other in Osijek.

Tal Ben Haim has been left out of the squad, but Yossi Benayoun and Kenny Sayef have been recalled. There are no fresh injury worries in the away team.

Quick Facts

• Israel are after their first ever win over Croatia
• Croatia are on a nine-game unbeaten run at home
• Vatreni managed to keep a clean sheet in five of their last seven home fixtures
• Israel are on a three-match winless run on the road
• Croatia scored ten goals in previous four meetings with Israel

Croatia vs Israel betting tip

Croatia are superior to Israel, but Ante Cacic’s troops will have to prove their worth on the field. The Croats are a real force to be reckoned with at home and given that the Blue and White often struggle on the travels, I am tempted to put my money on Luka Modric and Co, who are eager to prepare in the best possible way for the Euro 2016 finals.

Tip: Croatia/Croatia

Odds: 2.00 (1/1) @BetVictor

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Daily Specials

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The new boss announced his first list at a press conference held at a famous Croatian brewery, which only added to the irony currently surrounding the national team.

Vatreni slipped to third after taking just one point from two September qualifiers and they are now two points behind second-placed Norway after their one-point penalty was confirmed.

This means that Croatia must beat Bulgaria on 10 October if they want to secure automatic qualifying berth and they are 1.40 (2/5) to succeed in their quest.

New coach Ante Cacic has now named a 23-man squad for upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers vs Bulgaria and Malta.

The former Dinamo Zagreb boss caused a great deal of controversy by appointing Josip Simunic as his assistant, the man who was banned for 10 games for a Nazi salute.

Star striker Mario Mandzukic (62/19) is included despite suffering a thigh injury, but Hajduk Split starlet Mijo Caktas (0/0) has been left out.

Malaga striker Duje Cop (2/0) returns to international fold, whereas Dinamo Zagreb defender Josip Pivaric (2/0) is also back to the side.

Croatia squad:

Goalkeepers: Danijel Subašić (Monaco), Lovre Kalinić (Hajduk), Ivan Vargić (Rijeka);

Defenders: Darijo Srna (Shakhtar), Šime Vrsaljko (Sassuolo), Marko Lešković (Rijeka), Vedran Ćorluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Domagoj Vida (Dynamo Kiev), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), Danijel Pranjić (Panathinaikos), Josip Pivaric (Dinamo Zagreb);

Midfielders: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid), Milan Badelj (Fiorentina), Marcelo Brozović (Inter Milan), Mateo Kovačić (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitić (Barcelona), Ivan Perišić (Wolfsburg);

Forwards: Nikola Kalinić (Fiorentina), Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb),  Ivica Olić (HSV),  Andrej Kramarić (Leicester), Duje Cop (Malaga), Mario Mandzukic (Juventus).

The post Ante Cacic names Croatia squad for Euro 2016 qualifiers vs Bulgaria, Malta appeared first on International Football News, National Soccer Teams, Previews .

Vatreni made a real mess out of their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, having slipped to third in Group H after taking just one point from September qualifiers and if their one-point penalty is confirmed, they will trail Norway and Italy by two and four points respectively ahead of the final two games.

The latest reports suggest that coach Niko Kovac will pay the price for the disappointing results, with national team chiefs set to discuss his future on Wednesday.

The former Bayern Munich midfielder appears to have lost the dressing room after blaming his players for the Norway defeat, with star player Luka Modric one of those who were clearly unhappy about the coach’s comments.

Croatia still have time to save the qualifying campaign as they host Bulgaria and face Malta on the road in the final two matches.

The only positive at the moment is that they have secured a play-off berth, with Bulgaria now seven points behind in the race for the third position.

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Venue: Bakcell Arena (Baku, Azerbaijan)

Past meetings

Croatia v Azerbaijan 6-0 (Euro 2016 qualifier)

Azerbaijan

Last 5 matches:

Croatia v Azerbaijan 6-0 (Euro 2016 qualifier)
Azerbaijan v Norway 0-1 (Euro 2016 qualifier)
Azerbaijan v Malta 2-0 (Euro 2016 qualifier)
Serbia v Azerbaijan 4-1 (International friendly)
Norway v Azerbaijan 0-0 (Euro 2016 qualifier)

Team News:

Namig Alasgarov (1/0) and Maksim Medvedev (30/0) miss out on the squad through injury, whereas key midfielder Javid Huseynov (45/2) is unavailable having been arrested after his cousins killed a journalist that the player had threatened to.

The likes of Elvin Mammadov (34/7) and league top scorer Nurlan Novruzov (0/0) have been removed from the preliminary squad by Croatian coach Robert Prosinecki, who has brought serious improvement to the Azerbaijan national team.

Milli have shown a great deal of promise since losing 6-0 in the reverse fixture and they will be relying on sold-out stadium as well as hot and humid weather conditions to try and frustrate their more illustrious opponents.

Players to watch: Dimitrij Nazarov, Rauf Aliyev.

Probable starting line-up (4-5-1): K. Agayev – Mirzabekov, R.F. Sadygov, Guseynov, Dashdemirov – Ismayilov, Amirguliyev, Garayev, R.A. Sadigov, Nazarov – Aliyev.

Croatia

Last 5 matches:

Argentina v Croatia 2-1 (International friendly)
Italy v Croatia 1-1 (Euro 2016 qualifier)
Croatia v Norway 5-1 (Euro 2016 qualifier)
Croatia v Gibraltar 4-0 (International friendly)
Croatia v Italy 1-1 (Euro 2016 qualifier)

Team News:

Youngsters Halilovic (7/0), Rog (1/0), Pasalic (2/0) and Simunovic (0/0) have been left out of the Croatia squad for Euro 2016 qualifiers to help the Under-21 side, whereas Hajduk Split starlet Mijo Caktas is in line to win his first cap.

Key midfielder Luka Modric picked up an ankle injury playing for Real Madrid at the weekend, but the problem is not too serious and he should be in the starting line-up in Baku, with Marcelo Brozovic and Dejan Lovren shaking off minor problems as well. Captain Darijo Srna (123/21) is suspended.

Croatia players are aware they will not have an easy job in Azerbaijan in spite of the 6-0 win in the first meeting between the two sides, but a victory would see them all but secure a place at the tournament finals.

Check out enhanced odds promotions for Azerbaijan v Croatia game.

Players to watch: Luka Modric, Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Rakitic.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Subasic – Vrsaljko, Vida, Corluka, Pranjic – Modric, Brozovic – Rakitic, Kovacic, Perisic – Mandzukic.

Azerbaijan v Croatia betting odds & tips

*With mere three goals scored in Azerbaijan’s last three qualifiers, bear in mind that under 2.5 goals pays 1.85 (17/20).

*Croatia head into the game with star-studded line-up and having won the reverse fixture 6-0, they are 2.00 (1/1) for a half-time/full-time win.

*Seeing as they are two points clear of Italy at the moment, Croatia look a good bet at 2.10 (11/10) to win Group H.

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Vatreni sit top of Group H, two points clear of Italy, although the gap will probably be decreased when their one-point deduction is confirmed.

Croatia have a good chance to make a giant step towards the tournament finals by winning in Azerbaijan and they are 1.33 (1/3) to claim maximum points.

Vatreni will be facing third-placed Norway on the road three days later and Niko Kovac has now selected a total of 24 players for the two matches.

As we announced few days ago, Hajduk Split starlet Mijo Caktas earns his first ever call-up, while Fiorentina forward Ante Rebic (10/1) is included as well.

Niko Kovac opted to leave the likes of Alen Halilovic (7/0), Mario Pasalic (2/0), Marko Rog (1/0) and Jozo Simunovic (0/0) in the Under-21 side.

There are no major missings at the moment, with star players Luka Modric, Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic and Mateo Kovacic all in the side.

Croatia squad:

Goalkeepers: Danijel Subašić (Monaco), Lovre Kalinić (Hajduk), Ivan Vargić (Rijeka);

Defenders: Darijo Srna (Shakhtar), Šime Vrsaljko (Sassuolo), Marko Lešković (Rijeka), Vedran Ćorluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Domagoj Vida (Dynamo Kiev), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), Danijel Pranjić (Panathinaikos), Marin Leovac (PAOK);

Midfielders: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid), Milan Badelj (Fiorentina), Marcelo Brozović (Inter Milan), Mateo Kovačić (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitić (Barcelona), Mijo Caktaš (Hajduk);

Forwards: Nikola Kalinić (Fiorentina), Ante Rebić (Fiorentina), Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivan Perišić (Wolfsburg), Ivica Olić (HSV), Mario Mandžukić (Juventus), Andrej Kramarić (Leicester).

The post Kovac names Croatia squad for Azerbaijan, Norway qualifiers appeared first on International Football News, National Soccer Teams, Previews .

Vatreni coach Niko Kovac has yet to name his squad for Euro 2016 qualifiers vs Azerbaijan and Norway, taking place on 3 September and 6 September.

But, the latest reports suggest that Hajduk’s Mijo Caktas will be one of the names on the roster, together with his teammate Lovre Kalinic.

The attacking midfielder has been in fine form this season, scoring 5 goals in 11 competitive outings and is now set to become the member of the senior national team.

Croatia sit top of Group H ahead of the final four fixtures and they can be backed at 2.00 (1/1) to stay there come end of the campaign.

Coach Niko Kovac is unlikely to make major changes to his squad following some very good performances of late, and he will have star player Luka Modric (84/10) back to the side after recovering from injury.

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