View Odds >Croatia vs Slovenia Prediction & Betting Tips – 07/06/2026
Croatia welcome Slovenia to the Stadion Anđelko Herjavec on Saturday evening for what promises to be a meaningful friendly between two neighbouring rivals. This is their 13th meeting since independence, and local pride runs deep. For Zlatko Dalić's side, the fixture serves as a final send-off before heading to the World Cup in North America, with captain Luka Modrić potentially featuring in one of his last matches on home soil. Slovenia, under new coach Boštjan Cesar, arrive in rebuilding mode after failing to qualify for this summer's tournament.
Match Analysis
Croatia enter this World Cup send-off fixture as commanding favourites at 1.36, backed by a 68% predicted confidence. Dalić fields a full-strength XI featuring Modrić, Kovačić and Gvardiol, all confirmed fit and motivated to erase a recent 2-0 loss to Belgium.
- 7 wins from 12 all-time H2H meetings, including a 3-0 victory over Slovenia in September 2021.
- FIFA ranking gap is stark: Croatia sit 11th globally versus Slovenia's 58th, underlining a clear class advantage.
- Full-strength lineup confirmed by Dalić, with Modrić, Kovačić and Gvardiol all declared fit despite recent injury layoffs.
- Strong World Cup send-off motivation after a 2-0 friendly defeat to Belgium earlier this week demands a response.
Slovenia arrive at 8.00 as heavy outsiders, in a rebuilding phase under new coach Boštjan Cesar. Without their most dangerous attacker Benjamin Šeško, ruled out with a shin injury, their already limited attacking output looks severely undermined against a Croatian side of this quality.
- Šeško's absence through a shin injury leaves Slovenia averaging just 0.8 to 1.0 goals per game in their last five internationals.
- Slovenia did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup, reflecting a squad currently lacking depth and top-level competitive rhythm.
- New coach Boštjan Cesar has had minimal time to implement a system, leaving tactical cohesion fragile against a structured Croatian side.
Key point: Croatia have conceded 1.8 goals per game in their last five matches; a BTTS angle could offer value if Slovenia exploit defensive lapses on the counter.
Form & Statistics: Croatia vs Slovenia
Croatia
Recent form
Season statistics (3)
Slovenia
Recent form
Season statistics (2)
Croatia vs Slovenia: Head-to-Head
Average statistics (recent meetings)
Lineups: Croatia vs Slovenia
Croatia
Starters
- 1 Dominik Livaković
- 2 Joško Gvardiol
- 3 Josip Šutalo
- 4 Duje Ćaleta-Car
- 5 Ivan Perišić
- 6 Mateo Kovačić
- 7 Luka Modrić
- 8 Josip Stanišić
- 9 Nikola Vlašić
- 10 Andrej Kramarić
- 11 Ante Budimir
Slovenia
Starters
- 1 Jan Oblak
- 2 David Brekalo
- 3 Jaka Bijol
- 4 Marcel Ratnik
- 5 Žan Karničnik
- 6 Sandi Lovrić
- 7 Adam Gnezda Čerin
- 8 Tamar Svetlin
- 9 Benjamin Verbič
- 10 Andraž Šporar
- 11 Žan Vipotnik
Absent
- Benjamin Šeško (Shin injury.)
- Timi Max Elsnik (Not called up to the squad.)
- Jon Gorenc Stankovic (Not called up to the squad.)
Low confidence
Both lineups carry a speculated status, drawn from a single source, so some caution is warranted before kickoff. Should these XIs hold, Croatia's 3-4-1-2 places Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić at the heart of midfield, offering technical control against Slovenia's industrious 3-5-2.
Slovenia's shape invites a battle of width, with wing-backs expected to press high against Croatia's back three. Jan Oblak anchors the Slovenian rearguard, and how Croatia's front two exploit the spaces in behind will likely define the tempo of this friendly fixture.
Our Verdict
Croatia's home win at 1.36 stands out as the strongest selection here. The Vatreni boast seven victories from twelve prior meetings with Slovenia, including a comprehensive 3-0 triumph in their last home encounter. While Dalić's side stumbled against Belgium, expect a sharper display with World Cup preparations concentrating minds. Slovenia, rebuilding under Boštjan Cesar and coming off a draw with Cyprus, lack the firepower to trouble a motivated Croatian outfit. Under 2.5 goals at N/A appeals as a secondary pick, given the cautious nature of pre-tournament friendlies.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bet for Croatia vs Slovenia?
The standout bet here is a Croatia home win at 1.36. Dalić's side carry a commanding H2H record, a FIFA ranking of 11th against Slovenia's 58th, and the added motivation of sending their World Cup squad off in style. With Benjamin Šeško absent through injury, Slovenia's attacking threat is severely diminished, making the home win the most compelling wager on the card.
What time does Croatia vs Slovenia kick off?
This friendly kicks off at 18:45 UTC on Sunday, 7th June 2026. The fixture takes place at the Stadion Anđelko Herjavec in Croatia. It serves as Croatia's final warm-up match before they depart for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, lending the occasion a sense of genuine significance beyond a routine friendly.
Where can I watch Croatia vs Slovenia on TV?
Broadcast arrangements for this friendly have not been confirmed in our data. We would recommend checking your domestic sports broadcaster's schedule or official streaming platforms for coverage details. Given the match's status as Croatia's final World Cup send-off fixture, it is likely to attract television interest across the region and potentially beyond.
What is Croatia's recent record against Slovenia?
Croatia's head-to-head record against Slovenia is heavily in their favour, with seven wins from 12 meetings between the two sides. The most recent notable encounter saw Croatia administer a commanding 3-0 defeat to Slovenia in September 2021. That result underlines the quality gap between these neighbouring nations, particularly relevant now that Slovenia are in a rebuilding phase.
