Prediction: Croatia vs Slovenia | SoccerNews

Making their final appearance before jetting off to North America, Croatia will welcome Slovenia to Varazdin on Sunday night.

With the 2026 World Cup officially set to get underway next week, you can explore all of the most attractive betting promotions and bonuses that available.

Verdict: Croatia win

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker:  BetUS

Croatia

Starting with the hosts, while Croatia might have embarked on an astonishing World Cup qualifying campaign last year as they registered 22 points from their eight Group L appearances, the Blazers are searching for a crucial boost this weekend. Getting the final stint of their pre-World Cup preparations underway with a routine 2-0 loss at home against Belgium, Zlatko Dalic’s side have suffered back-to-back friendly defeats. Signing off March’s international break with a 3-1 loss at the hands of South American giants Brazil, Croatia have also shown some concerning defensive issues on either side of opening the New Year. Set to get their World Cup adventure underway on June 17th when they meet England, Dalic’s men will be desperate to avoid a potential banana skin in Varazdin on Sunday night.

Croatia Team News

Making a timely return from a shoulder injury, 40-year-old Luka Modric will lead Croatia out on Sunday night and the former Ballon d’Or winner will earn a 198th international cap this weekend. Despite dealing with an injury hit campaign with Premier League giants Manchester City, Mateo Kovacic will partner Madrid in the middle of the park.

Fellow Man City superstar Josko Gvardiol should get some valuable minutes under his belt in Varazdin. Bagging 14 Bundesliga strikes for Hoffenheim this season, Andrej Kramaric should be handed a full recall and spearhead Croatia’s charge.

Slovenia

As for the visitors, while Slovenia might have got their respective World Cup qualifying adventure underway last year with their sights set on mounting a genuine charge to North America, Bostjan Cesar’s side endured a public struggle. Rightfully coming under a huge amount of scrutiny as they remarkably failed to claim a single win from any of their six Group B appearances (two defeats, four draws), the Whites have continued to show some glaring issues on either side of opening 2026. Missing out on what they had billed as a golden opportunity earlier in the week as they eventually had to settle for a downbeat 1-1 stalemate at home against Cyprus, Slovenia have clinched just a sole win across any competition over the past 12 months.

Slovenia Team News

With recent links over a potential blockbuster move away from Spanish giants Atletico Madrid this summer, Jan Oblak will lead Slovenia out on Sunday night and earn an 83rd international cap. Helping Leeds extend on their Premier League status, Jaka Bijol will start at the heart of Cesar’s defence.

Coming off the bench and bagging a crucial second-half equaliser against Cyprus on Thursday, Zenit defender Vanja Drkusic could be handed a full recall in Varazdin. Bagging 23 goals with Championship outfit Swansea this season, Zan Vipotnik will lead the line on Sunday.

Croatia vs Slovenia Key Factors to Consider

• When Croatia and Slovenia last met for a friendly showdown back in March 2022, Sunday’s opponents played out a 0-0 stalemate in Al Rayyan.
• Croatia have suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time since back in October 2023.
• Slovenia have registered just a single win from any of their previous 11 appearances across all competitions.
• Croatia’s 2-0 loss against Belgium earlier in the week is the first home defeat they have suffered since back in October 2023.
• Six of Slovenia’s last seven appearances have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Suffering consecutive defeats for the first time since back in 2023, Croatia suddenly have some serious pressure on their shoulders. Making their final pre-World Cup appearance on Sunday night, the Blazers are desperately searching for a much-welcomed morale boost on home soil. However, meeting a Slovenia squad who have shown some glaring issues continuing on from their nightmare World Cup qualifying adventure last summer, we are backing a home win this weekend.

Verdict: Croatia win

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker:  BetUS