Croatia vs. Spain Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tuesday's Nations League Match
The reigning world champions face a team enduring their worst patch in memory as I offer my Croatia vs. Spain prediction.
Spain are the -325 betting favorite for Tuesday’s away Nations League match (2:45 p.m. ET, Fubo), and, while I’m backing them to win, I expect Croatia not to capitulate as easily as they did against England.
I’m also featuring two goal-scorer picks: Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal.
⚽ Croatia vs. Spain predictions & best bets
See our experts' soccer picks.
| Best bets | Best odds | Wager (units) |
|---|---|---|
| Spain & Under 4.5 goals | -130 via BetMGM | 2 units to profit 1.5 units |
| Lamine Yamal anytime goal | +105 via FanDuel | 1 unit to profit 1.05 units |
| Mikel Oyarzabal anytime goal | -110 via FanDuel | 0.5 units to profit 0.45 units |
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💰 Croatia vs. Spain best bet
Check out all of our soccer betting analysis and expert predictions this season.
Spain & Under 4.5 goals (-130)
Things cannot get any worse for Croatia after their 7-0 home defeat to England on Saturday. Croatia should improve, and I’m confident they'll face a slight reprieve thanks to a heavily rotated La Roja.
Spain had their way with Croatia in the Sept. 29 tilt in Seville, winning 4-1. However, Spain will be intent on executing a solid game plan that includes keeping a clean sheet for the first time in four matches.
I cannot fathom what another lopsided score would mean for Croatia in front of their passionate fans. While I expect a comfortable Spain victory, Croatia should be able to limit the damage
🆚 SBR Edge: Spain’s outrageous unbeaten run
The reigning World Cup champions enter the match on a 10-game winning and 21-match unbeaten run in all competitions. They haven’t lost in regulation time in 40 matches. Their previous defeat, a 1-0 loss to Colombia, occurred in a friendly on June 15, 2024.
Score prediction: Spain 3, Croatia 0
🔥 More Croatia vs. Spain expert picks
Lamine Yamal anytime goal (+105)
Yamal scored in all three games during the current international break, including netting a brace one week ago against Croatia in Spain.
Before his recent explosion, he hadn’t scored in the previous six appearances with the national side. His current form, including seven goals in seven La Liga matches, adds confidence, particularly against a side that has allowed 11 goals in its previous two outings.
Yamal should be fresh, too, as he only played the first half of Spain’s 3-1 win over Czechia on Saturday.
Mikel Oyarzabal anytime goal (-110)
Oyarzabal didn’t play at all against Czechia on Saturday. I believe Luis de la Fuente will start Oyarzabal, who scored two goals in the previous four matches with La Roja and will be as fresh as they come.
Croatia have allowed the most goals (12) of any Group A team, with Turkiye’s 11 being the second-most. And Oyarzabal led the team in the World Cup with five goals.
⚖️ Croatia vs. Spain key stats
| Croatia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 1-0-2 | 3-0-0 |
| Goals for | 3 | 10 |
| xG | 9.7 | 1.7 |
| Goals against | 12 | 4 |
| xGA | 9.2 | 2.7 |
| Average possession | 43 | 61.9 |
📊 Croatia vs. Spain odds
Odds from BetMGM as of Oct. 6; subject to change
- Three-way moneyline: Croatia (+650) | Draw (+475) Spain (-325)
- Total: Over 2.5 (-225) | Under 2.5 (+155)
🆚 Croatia vs. Spain projected lineups
Here are the projected lineups for Croatia vs. Spain; subject to change:
| Croatia formation (4-2-3-1) | Spain formation (4-2-3-1) |
|---|---|
| Livakovic (GK) | Simon (GK) |
| Smolcic (D) | Fresneda (D) |
| Sutalo (D) | Cubarsi (D) |
| Vuskovic (D) | Huijsen (D) |
| Gvardiol (D) | Cucurella (D) |
| Modric (M) | Lopez (M) |
| Kovacic (M) | Zubimendi (M) |
| Ivanovic (M) | Pedri (M) |
| Mario Pasalic (M) | Yamal (M) |
| Vlasic (M) | Oyarzabal (F) |
| Matanovic (F) | Munoz (M) |
📺 How to watch Croatia vs. Spain
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 6
- Kickoff: 2:45 p.m. ET
- Location: Poljud Stadium (Split, Croatia)
- TV/Streaming: Fubo
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