Croatia vs. Spain—Nations League: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Spain is looking to pile further misery on Croatia. | Alex Caparros/FIFA/Getty Images (Croatia), Instagram/sefutbol (Spain)Spain is seeking to make it four victories from four in the UEFA Nations League as it closes the current international window by visiting Croatia on Tuesday.

Spain is seeking to make it four victories from four in the UEFA Nations League as it closes the current international window by visiting Croatia on Tuesday.

The world champion has been typically excellent in Group 3 of League A, kicking things off with an entertaining 3–2 win over England. Things were much more emphatic in triumphs over Croatia and Czechia, however, which extended La Roja’s winning streak to 10 matches in all competitions.

The world champion has been typically excellent in Group 3 of League A, kicking things off with an entertaining 3–2 win over England. Things were much more emphatic in triumphs over Croatia and Czechia, however, which extended La Roja’s winning streak to 10 matches in all competitions.

Having thrashed Croatia 4–1 in the reverse fixture, Spain travels to Split with the expectation of securing back-to-back wins. Lamine Yamal was particularly impressive in the reverse fixture, scoring twice and providing an assist to continue his stellar form.

Having thrashed Croatia 4–1 in the reverse fixture, Spain travels to Split with the expectation of securing back-to-back wins. Lamine Yamal was particularly impressive in the reverse fixture, scoring twice and providing an assist to continue his stellar form.

Slaven Bilić’s return to the Croatia hot seat has been pretty disastrous to date. Following a narrow win over Czechia and the defeat to Spain, the 58-year-old oversaw the nation’s worst-ever loss during an embarrassing 7–0 defeat to England on home soil. Massive improvements are needed to avoid yet more humiliation against La Roja.

Slaven Bilić’s return to the Croatia hot seat has been pretty disastrous to date. Following a narrow win over Czechia and the defeat to Spain, the 58-year-old oversaw the nation’s worst-ever loss during an embarrassing 7–0 defeat to England on home soil. Massive improvements are needed to avoid yet more humiliation against La Roja.

This is a repeat of the 2022–23 Nations League final, which Spain won on penalties after 120 minutes of goalless action.

This is a repeat of the 2022–23 Nations League final, which Spain won on penalties after 120 minutes of goalless action.

Lamine Yamal (right) has been in inspired form for Spain. | David Fernandez/NurPhoto/Getty ImagesRewind a year or two and this would have been a very different fixture. But Croatia’s rapid decline and dismal start under Bilić means Spain should run out handsome winners yet again.

Rewind a year or two and this would have been a very different fixture. But Croatia’s rapid decline and dismal start under Bilić means Spain should run out handsome winners yet again.

La Roja have been in breathless attacking form, scoring three or more in each of their Nations League matches to date. While they are yet to keep a clean sheet, an inspired attacking unit led by Barcelona superstar Yamal has proven too much for opponents.

La Roja have been in breathless attacking form, scoring three or more in each of their Nations League matches to date. While they are yet to keep a clean sheet, an inspired attacking unit led by Barcelona superstar Yamal has proven too much for opponents.

Meanwhile, Croatia’s defense has been utterly atrocious this international break, allowing 12 goals across three matches. One would expect the 2018 World Cup runner-up to take a more cautious approach on Tuesday to help steady the ship, but Spain’s fearsome forwards will be licking their lips regardless.

Meanwhile, Croatia’s defense has been utterly atrocious this international break, allowing 12 goals across three matches. One would expect the 2018 World Cup runner-up to take a more cautious approach on Tuesday to help steady the ship, but Spain’s fearsome forwards will be licking their lips regardless.

Croatia must make changes from Saturday’s humiliation. | FotMobHaving named arguably his strongest possible lineup against England, Bilić doesn’t have much room to maneuver for Spain’s visit.

Having named arguably his strongest possible lineup against England, Bilić doesn’t have much room to maneuver for Spain’s visit.

Two changes could come in defense, however, with Joško Gvardiol shifting to left back and Josip Šutalo joining Luka Vuškovic at center half. Josip Stanišic could be replaced at right back by Ivan Smolčić.

Two changes could come in defense, however, with Joško Gvardiol shifting to left back and Josip Šutalo joining Luka Vuškovic at center half. Josip Stanišic could be replaced at right back by Ivan Smolčić.

After being overrun in midfield against England, Luka Modrić might be sacrificed for greater defensive security, with Mateo Kovačić dropping into a double pivot with Josip Mišić.

After being overrun in midfield against England, Luka Modrić might be sacrificed for greater defensive security, with Mateo Kovačić dropping into a double pivot with Josip Mišić.

Igor Matanović could come into the attack to lead the line, replacing FC Dallas striker Petar Musa.

Igor Matanović could come into the attack to lead the line, replacing FC Dallas striker Petar Musa.

Croatia predicted lineup vs. Spain (4-2-3-1): Livaković; Smolčić, Vušković, Šutalo, Gvardiol; Mišić, Kovačić; Vlašić, P. Sučić, Baturina; Matanović.

Croatia predicted lineup vs. Spain (4-2-3-1): Livaković; Smolčić, Vušković, Šutalo, Gvardiol; Mišić, Kovačić; Vlašić, P. Sučić, Baturina; Matanović.

Luis de la Fuente has the capacity to make changes without sacrificing quality. | FotMobLuis de la Fuente has been offered several selection headaches by recent withdrawals. Nico Williams, Ferran Torres and Álex Grimaldo have all left the camp, but that has offered opportunities to others.

Luis de la Fuente has been offered several selection headaches by recent withdrawals. Nico Williams, Ferran Torres and Álex Grimaldo have all left the camp, but that has offered opportunities to others.

For example, Espanyol striker Roberto Fernández led the line against Czechia in place of Ferran, although Mikel Oyarzabal is expected to return for the game with Croatia.

For example, Espanyol striker Roberto Fernández led the line against Czechia in place of Ferran, although Mikel Oyarzabal is expected to return for the game with Croatia.

Álex Baena should continue at left wing following Williams’s departure, while Martín Zubimendi might come into the midfield to offer Rodri a well-earned rest.

Álex Baena should continue at left wing following Williams’s departure, while Martín Zubimendi might come into the midfield to offer Rodri a well-earned rest.

There could be multiple changes in defense. Pau Cubarsí will return after being rested against Czechia, while Marc Cucurella and Marc Pubill should make comebacks in the fullback positions.

There could be multiple changes in defense. Pau Cubarsí will return after being rested against Czechia, while Marc Cucurella and Marc Pubill should make comebacks in the fullback positions.

Unai Simón should return between the posts after David Raya earned a rare start last time out.

Unai Simón should return between the posts after David Raya earned a rare start last time out.

Spain predicted lineup vs. Croatia (4-2-3-1): Simón; Pubill, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Pedri; Yamal, Fermín, Baena; Oyarzabal.

Spain predicted lineup vs. Croatia (4-2-3-1): Simón; Pubill, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Pedri; Yamal, Fermín, Baena; Oyarzabal.

Published 16 minutes ago | Modified 16 minutes agoEWAN ROSS-MURRAYEwan Ross-Murray is a soccer writer for SI FC. He boasts years of experience following his First Class Honours in Journalism from the University of Leicester, producing a variety of content from match reports and news pieces to more extensive features on an array of topics. With Scottish, Welsh and English heritage, Ross-Murray’s soccer influences are far-ranging, but his primary focus is on the Premier League and Champions League.