Croatia vs Albania Predictions

• Croatia have kept clean sheets in four of their last seven matches
• Both teams have scored in only two of Albania’s last six games
• Albania have won only two matches in 2024
• Ivan Perisic has scored 33 goals for Croatia

Croatia can bounce back from Spain defeat

Both Croatia and Albania slipped to opening defeats in Group B at Euro 2024 but the disparity between the sides should be clear when they square up on matchday two at Volksparkstadion.

Croatia were thumped 3-0 by Spain, while Albania were edged 2-1 by Italy despite scoring the fastest goal in European Championship history to go ahead after 23 seconds.

At first glance, the Albania result looks more valiant but the 3-0 scoreline against Spain was perhaps a little harsh on Croatia, who won the shot count 16-11 and had a touch more possession.

Spain’s three goals came in just under 20 minutes at the end of the first half and Croatia were able to go toe-to-toe with La Roja for the majority of the match.

Their midfield is loaded with experience in Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic and they should be far too strong for Albania.

Toothless Albania unlikely to cause many problems

Beyond that first-minute strike from Nedim Bajrami, Albania had little to shout about against the Italians on Saturday night, having seen just 31 per cent of the ball.

That was also their only shot on target in the contest and they were pretty toothless across the 90 minutes.

That will not have come as a great surprise to anyone who had followed Albania in the last year or so given Sylvinho’s side drew blanks against Faroe Islands, Chile and Sweden within the last 12 months.

Indeed, they lack bite in attack with Premier League ace Armando Broja often isolated at the front of their 4-2-3-1 formation and a Croatia win to nil looks like a solid betting angle.

Croatia have kept clean sheets in four of their last seven matches in all competitions, shutting out Latvia, Armenia, Tunisia and North Macedonia and they can add Albania to that list.

Perisic could be problematic for minnows

As for a correct score prediction, Croatia are not the most barnstorming team going forwards and goals could be at a premium.

Croatia have scored more than two goals only twice in their last ten assignments in all competitions and Albania can be expected to play with their backs to the wall with the hope of grabbing a goal on the counter-attack.

With that in mind, a 2-0 win for Croatia could represent value in the correct score market.

Those after a goalscorer pick, meanwhile, should look no further than experienced Croatian winger Ivan Perisic.

Perisic started on the bench last time out due to fitness concerns but he still managed three shots – one of which was on target – after coming on in the 55th minute and he could be a handful for Albania.