Croatia vs Montenegro Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (UEFA)

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We have a Balkan derby taking place at Stadion Maksimir in the Croatian capital city of Zagreb as a strong Croatia side take on an average Montenegrin side this week.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – FOX Sports

How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – Disney+

Key stats

• Croatia are unbeaten in their last 12 World Cup qualifying matches (W10 D2). They have won five in a row.
• Croatia have kept nine clean sheets in their last 12 World Cup qualifying matches.
• Croatia are unbeaten in their last 13 World Cup qualifying matches at home (W10 D3). Since a 1-2 defeat against Belgium in October 2013.
• Montenegro have lost their last two World Cup qualifying matches. They have never lost three in a row.

Croatia vs Montenegro prediction

Under the management of Zlatko Dalic, the Croatians come into this one on the back of a slender 1-0 defeat of the Faroe Islands in the Faroese capital city of Torshavn the other day, courtesy of a 31st minute winner scored by Andrej Kramaric. That means they have collected nine points from their opening three matches.

They now face a Montenegro side that have managed two victories and two defeats in their four matches thus far. The Montenegrins most recently suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Czechia at the Podgorica City Stadium the other day, thanks to goals from Lukas Cerv and Vaclav Cerny.

Montenegro have often been competitive at times in the last year or so, but this is a major mis-match and the Croats should win quite comfortably having rediscovered some good form.

Croatia vs Montenegro tip: Croatia to win -1 handicap