Croatia U19 vs Germany U19 Prediction 20.03.2024

• Competition: UEFA EURO U19 Championship Qualifiers
• Date: Wednesday, 20th, March 2024
• Kickoff: 14:30 UTC / 15.30 CET
• Venue: Stadion Varteks (Varazdin)

Stadio Varteks is set to host one of the most fiery battles on the opening day of the group stage as the hosts Croatia U19s clash with Germany U19s, both eager to kick off their EURO Under-19 qualifying campaign in triumphant fashion.

Croatia U19 vs Germany U19 Betting Tips: BTTS

Pursuing a direct ticket to the EURO Under-19 in Northern Ireland promises to be a daunting journey, but the Young Blazers will derive encouragement and self-assurance from their role as hosts of Group 6, ensuring that all three decisive qualifying clashes unfold in the embrace of their fervent fans, a factor that should provide them with a substantial tailwind.

However, the Croatia U19s squad has left everything but a promising impression ahead of the crucial trio of matches, having suffered defeats in both February friendlies against lesser nations Saudi Arabia U19 (1-2) and Greece U19 (0-2), yet there remains the possibility that this was merely a part of head coach Sinisa Orescanin's tactical plan to confuse opponents and conceal the true strengths of his national team.

After breezing through the first phase of these qualifiers, collecting seven out of nine available points in a group featuring minnows like Armenia U19, Faroe Islands U19, and Israel U19, the Balkan youth side will aim to make amends for last year's second-phase disappointment (D1, L2 - GD: 2-6) and deliver their faithful fans a long-awaited ticket to the final tournament, their first since 2016.

Set to embark on their opening qualification test against none other than six-time UEFA European Under-19 Championship winners Germany, though the last trophy they lifted dates back to the distant year of 2014, Croatia U19s have no reason to fear, having shown bravery against the young Die Mannschaft, holding them to an exciting 2-2 draw back in 2008 before succumbing to a last-gasp 1-2 defeat in 2019.

Despite the comfort of playing in front of their home crowd, the Young Blazers' winless streak against the Germans could potentially extend, as Christian Worns' chosen ones look relentless heading into the start of the second phase of EURO 2024 qualifiers, having emerged victorious in six of their last seven competitive and non-competitive fixtures.

The frontline firepower of Germany U19s has been nothing short of brilliant, particularly in the opening stage of the EURO qualifiers, amassing an impressive tally of 12 goals from three outings at that level, instilling in us a firm belief that their attacking flair will once again come to the fore, having struck Croatia's net at least twice in each of their last three meetings. Hopefully, Orescanin's talented lads can deliver a powerful response on the pitch, promising an entertaining showdown filled with plenty of goal-scoring action.