Montenegro vs Croatia Predictions

• Croatia are unbeaten in World Cup qualifying Group L, winning six of their seven games.
• Vatreni thrashed Montenegro 4-0 when the teams met in Zagreb in September.
• Montenegro’s only wins since March have come against Gibraltar and Liechtenstein.

Vatreni to round off qualifying with routine win

Croatia’s place at next summer’s World Cup was confirmed following Friday’s 3-1 win over the Faroe Islands and they are unbeaten in Group L, winning six of their seven matches and conceding just two goals.

With qualification wrapped up, head coach Zlatko Dalic may look to rest several of his key players for this trip to Podgorica, but even a much-changed Croatia side should have too much for a Montenegro team that have endured a difficult campaign.

There was certainly a huge gulf between the sides when they met in Zagreb in September, with Croatia’s 4-0 win perhaps flattering Montenegro given the hosts boasted nearly 75% possession and bossed the shot count 32-3.

Montenegro’s form has nosedived

Montenegro’s qualifying campaign started positively enough with wins over Gibraltar and the Faroe Islands in March, but they proceeded to lose their next four, conceding 12 goals in the process and scoring none.

The Brave Falcons did come from behind to win 2-1 in Gibraltar on Friday, but that coupled with a narrow victory over another European minnow in Liechtenstein in a friendly last month represents their only successes since March.

This could be another disappointing night for Montenegro, who may fail to score for the fifth time in six qualifiers, and Croatia can match what Czechia achieved earlier in this campaign by leaving Podgorica with a 2-0 win.