Euro 2020: Croatia vs. Czech match preview- team news, lineups

will attempt to make up for their opening Euro 2020 defeat to England when they take on the Czech Republic at Hampden Park on Friday in Group D.

A disappointing 1-0 defeat has raised questions over Croatia’s quality in the ongoing European Championship. The 2018 World Cup finalists were far from competent and now run the risk of potentially getting out of the top two contentions in Group D as they lock horns with the Czech Republic on Friday.

However, Jaroslav Silhavy's squad has quickly risen to the top of the group after a 2-0 victory over Scotland during their inaugural game of the tournament.

According to many,

were not totally dominant against the Scottish team but they indicated their excellent attacking abilities and the defensive solidity that could trouble any team.

Croatia vs. Czech Republic match preview

Croatia need to get a result on the board as England’s Group D rivals face the Czech Republic in Scotland on Friday.

Croatia

had never won any of their opening European Championship games before their match with Croatia last Sunday, as the Chequered Ones travelled to the English capital aiming for a repeat of their 2018 World Cup success over Gareth Southgate's men.

The Three Lions had most of the first half without any real threat in the final third except for an attempt from Phil Foden which struck the woodwork, but in the 57th minute, the man of the match Kalvin Phillips found

and the Manchester City man prodded home past

.

Zlatko Dalic's squad have struggled to maintain their reputation since collecting World Cup runners-up medals in Russia three years ago, and defeat on the opening day sees Croatia occupy third spot in the group with two games left to play, a standing that may yet be enough to progress to the knockout rounds.

Croatia have now a record of two wins from their last 10 games in all competitions, and Dalic has an added incentive to avoid defeat at Hampden Park, as the Chequered Ones have gone 10 major tournaments without losing their second game, winning six and drawing four of their games.

It has been 25 years since Croatia opened their European Championship campaign with back-to-back defeats, but even though they are 26 places higher than the Czech Republic in the FIFA World Rankings, Silhavy's men are the ones with greater chances.

Czech Republic

Scotland fans travelled to Hampden Park to see their favorite team back on the major stage for the first time in 23 years, but the Tartan Army's dreams were quickly ruined by the

show on matchday one.

Without influential defender Kieran Tierney manning the rearguard, Scotland were 1-0 down on the 42-minute mark as Schick headed home his country's opener, and the

forward proceeded to unleash an outrageous effort from 50 yards to propel the Czech Republic to a 2-0 win.

A two-goal victory for Silhavy's side means that they currently occupy top spot in Group D, but it would be a surprise to see them stay there as England seek to keep their momentum going, while upcoming opponents Croatia can blow the group wide open with victory on Friday.

Schick may very well have already claimed the award for the goal of the tournament, but the job is far from done for the Czech Republic, who are aiming to open their European Championship campaign with back-to-back wins.

It is worth mentioning that the Czech Republic have failed to win any of their previous three meetings with Croatia, and the two sides will be locking horns nearly five years to the day that they played out a 2-2 draw at Euro 2016.

Form analysis

Dalic confirmed that Rangers left-back Borna Barisic missed out against England due to injury and he is not expected back yet, but

should be given the chance to play after a positive MRI scan on his knee problem.

Talisman Luka Modric is also expected to be fit despite training individually earlier this week, and Dalic is reportedly considering partnering the

man with Mateo Kovacic in a midfield two, which would see Marcelo Brozovic drop to the bench.

There is an extra spot in the attack and while Ivan Perisic should keep his place on the left, it is a free-for-all for the other three attacking spots as Bruno Petkovic, Nikola Vlasic, and Josip Brekalo who hope to be given the chance to play.

Croatia possible starting lineup:

Livakovic; Vrsaljko, Vida, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol; Modric, Kovacic; Brekalo, Vlasic, Perisic; Petkovic

The Czech Republic have no fresh concerns from their impressive victory over Scotland, but injured goalkeeper

has been replaced in the squad by Augsburg's Tomas Koubek.

Schick's brace on matchday one represented his seventh and eighth goals in his last nine starts for the Czech Republic, but highly-rated teenager

will still be vying for some valuable minutes from the bench.

Czech Republic possible starting lineup: Vaclik; Coufal, Kalas, Celustka, Boril; Soucek, Kral; Masopust, Darida, Jankto; Schick

Croatia vs. Czech Republic - Head-to-head in all competitions

Croatia and Czech Republic have met just three times since becoming independent states following the fall of the Iron Curtain. Croatia were unbeaten in those clashes but have won only once, with the other two matches drawn.

The only competitive meeting came at the 2016 European Championship finals, with the Czechs coming from 2-0 down to salvage a 2-2 draw.

So, Croatia have been dominant against Czech Republic. They are unbeaten in this fixture, claiming two wins and one draw from their three encounters with the visitors.

Prediction

While many websites offer different predictions and betting tips, we state here that Croatia have options in abundance up top as Dalic hopes to get his frontmen firing as soon as possible, and it would be a surprise not to see the fired-up Chequered Ones hit the back of the net at the second time of asking.

We think Croatia will do enough to get a point, a result which would be much more favorable for the Czech Republic.

Croatia vs. Czech Republic Referees

UEFA has appointed Carlos del Cerro Grande (Spain) to oversee the match between Croatia and Czech Republic on Friday.

Viewing information

• Date: Friday, June 18

• Time: 12 p.m. ET

• Location: Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland

• TV: ESPN (English) and Univision (Spanish) | Live Stream: fuboTV (try for free)

• Odds: Croatia +120; Draw +220 Czech Republic +260 (via William Hill Sportsbook)

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