Euro 2024 Team Betting Predictions: Croatia

After finishing second and third at the last two World Cups, Croatia are searching for a similar degree of success on the European stage. They head to Euro 2024 in decent form and as this looks to be the last time captain Luka Modric features at a major tournament, they will look to capitalise on his magic one last time.

They are in Group B which has been dubbed this year's 'group of death' alongside Spain, defending champions Italy and Albania. Below are my Euro 2024 Croatia predictions.

Croatia won the 2022 World Cup third-place play-off against Morocco but their last outing at the Euros saw them bow out at the round of 16, losing to Spain 5-3 after extra time. They must be cautious about coming up against La Roja in Group B this time around.

Zlatko Dalic has a lot of experience in his squad with the likes of skipper Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Domagoj Vida, Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Perisic. All have been influential in Croatia's recent rise and this looks to be the final major tournament appearance for most of them.

They may be in the dreaded group of death, but they will fancy their chances to progress to the knockout stage given their recent successes on the international stage.

Euro 2024 Odds

Squad

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic, Nediljko Labrovic, Ivica Ivusic

Defenders: Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic, Josko Gvardiol, Martin Erlic, Josip Sutalo, Borna Sosa, Domagoj Vida, Josip Juranovic

Midfielders: Lovro Majer, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, Nikola Vlasic, Mario Pasalic, Luka Sucic, Martin Baturina

Forwards: Andrej Kramaric, Ivan Perisic, Ante Budimir, Bruno Petkovic, Luka Ivanusec, Marko Pjaca, Marco Pasalic

Croatia to win Euro 2024 @ 40/1

Given their recent pedigree on the world stage, 40/1 may appear to be a very generous price for Croatia to go all the way in Germany, but when you consider they crashed out at the last 16 three years ago, you understand why.

I see the Croatians making their way to the knockout stage but I'm not sure I see them having what it takes to go all the way. Then again, people wouldn't have expected them to reach the World Cup final or semi-finals in 2018 and 2022 respectively, so if you want a dark horse, they could be the way to go.

To win Group B @ 9/2

Croatia also offer good value to win Group B but it's going to be tough up against the likes of Spain and defending champions Italy. I do see La Roja coming out on top in this group but I wouldn't be too surprised to see Croatia progress in top spot either.

Their recent form sees them head into the tournament with momentum, and they recently defeated one of the pre-tournament favourites Portugal in their last warm-up friendly. So a strong group campaign cannot be overlooked.

To qualify from Group B @ 2/5

The value isn't great but this is the market I would most trust backing Croatia. I think they have the quality to get out of this group. I'm fairly confident in backing them to finish in the top two, but I do see this group potentially providing one of the four third-place qualification spots, too.

Stage of elimination - Quarter-finals @ 7/2

I reckon that Croatia can at least go one hurdle further at the Euros than they did last time. Should they top Group B they will get a favourable draw against one of the teams to qualify through the third-place route.

However, if they finish second, which is what I believe is most likely, then they will face the runners-up of Group A. This means that they could be drawn against Germany, Scotland, Switzerland or Hungary.

I'm expecting Germany to top that group and I can see one of Switzerland or Hungary taking second spot. Either side would provide a test for Croatia in the last 16 but I think Dalic's side will use their experience of venturing far in tournaments to get them over the line.

It is then in the following round in which I am expecting their journey to come to an end. There is a chance they could face England in the quarter-finals and although I'm skeptical of England's own chances of winning the tournament due to their defensive options, the Three Lions' attacking options are far superior to Croatia's.

Team top scorer - Andrej Kramaric @ 3/1

Striker Andrej Kramaric heads into the summer off the back of a respectable goalscoring campaign with Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga. Kramaric netted 15 goals in 30 league appearances.

He also scored four goals in six of Croatia's Euro qualifers. The 32-year-old found the back of the net twice in seven matches during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He is the smartest selection to go for when selecting Croatia's tournament top scorer, and he does head to the Euros with bags of experience.

An alternative could be Ante Budimir at 9/2. The Osasuna attacker scored 17 goals in 33 appearances in La Liga this season, and although he is yet to score in a major international tournament, he heads to Germany full of confidence.

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You can read all our latest Euro 2024 Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.