Czechia vs Croatia: Predictions , Preview, Lineups, H2h for October 9, 2025

Czechia and Croatia will meet in the European qualifiers for the World Cup on Thursday, October 9, in Prague. The match is set to begin at 20:45 Central European Time. The expectation is for a strong attacking display from both sides.

Match preview

Czechia has had a shaky start in their World Cup qualifying campaign. In March, they managed to beat the Faroe Islands 2-1, largely due to their determination in the final minutes. They followed it up with a straightforward win against Gibraltar.

This summer, Czechia defeated Montenegro but faced a heavy 1-5 loss to Croatia, revealing weaknesses against teams that transition quickly and use the flanks well.

This defeat acted as a wake-up call, and following their defensive issues, Czechia focused on better organization and secured another win over Montenegro.

After facing Croatia, Czechia will play against underdogs like Gibraltar and the Faroe Islands, making it difficult for them to secure a top spot in the group without Croatia slipping up.

Croatia has been in excellent form, winning all four of their matches with an impressive goal difference of 17:1. Their 7-0 victory against Gibraltar showcased their attacking strength, although the quality of their opponents must be considered.

In their match against Montenegro, Croatia’s offense shone again with a 4-0 win in Zagreb, demonstrating both scoring ability and solid defense, particularly against teams that counter-attack.

In their last encounter with Czechia, Croatia’s second-half performance was decisive as they took advantage of Czech defensive mistakes with quick passing and counterattacks to secure a dominant win.

Psychologically, Croatia holds the upper hand; their recent run of convincing victories has boosted their confidence. Even a draw in Prague could secure their position at the top of the group and direct qualification for the World Cup finals.

Match facts

• Czechia has won just one of their last three matches.
• The Czechs are unbeaten at home since September 2022.
• Croatia is on a four-match winning streak.
• Croatia has not conceded any goals away from home in this qualifying cycle.
• Czechia averages 1.5 goals per game at home, while Croatia averages 1.9 goals per game on the road.

Probable lineups

• Czechia: Stanek, Zeleny, Krejci, Jemelka, Dudera, Cerv, Soucek, Schulz, Provod, Kusey, Kuchta.
• Croatia: Livakovic, Jakic, Sutalo, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol, Sucic, Kramaric, Modric, Perisic, Pasalic, Budimir.

H2H

• Czechia has never beaten Croatia.
• Both teams have scored in all four previous meetings.

Prediction

This match is crucial for both teams, promising high intensity. Czechia needs a win, while Croatia might be satisfied with a draw. Expect a competitive game, with predictions leaning towards over 2 total goals.