Croatia vs Italy Prediction 24.06.2024 | Euro 2024

• Competition: Euro 2024 - Group B
• Date: Monday, 24th, June 2024
• Kickoff: 20:00 UTC +1 / 21.00 CEST
• Venue: Red Bull Arena (Leipzig)

Defending champions Italy will look to seal their place in the Euro 2024 knockout stages with a point against a faltering Croatia side at Red Bull Arena on Monday evening.

Croatia vs Italy Betting Tips: BTTS

Although they entered their opening match at the European Championship with a strong drive to avenge last year's heartbreaking penalty shotoout loss to Spain in the UEFA Nations League final, the Croatians were dealt an even more devastating blow as La Roja routed them in a disgraceful 0-3 loss in Berlin.

Looking at it objectively, the result was not a true reflection of the events at the Olympiastadion, where Zlatko Dalic's squad outperformed the Spaniards in every aspect of play, but they faltered in accuracy when it mattered most, falling short of scoring despite firing off 16 shots and registering an expected goals total of 2.27.

On matchday two, which was supposed to be the perfect opportunity to get back into the race for the top two spots in the so-called "Group of Death," the Vatreni stumbled once again, conceding a late equalizer deep into stoppage time for a rollercoaster 2-2 stalemate against Albania, significantly complicating their path to the Euro knockout stage.

Standing in the way of the 2022 World Cup Bronze Boys are none other than the Italians, who began their Euro title defense somewhat shakily but victoriously, swiftly recovering from conceding the tournament's fastest-ever goal - just 23 seconds in - to secure maximum points in a narrow 2-1 triumph over a courageous Albania at Westfalenstadion.

Despite having the chance to confirm their progress in the round of sixteen, the Gli Azzurri put on a disappointing on-field display against their rivals from the 2021 Euro semis, as they were overwhelmed by the relentless Red Fury, although the scoreline doesn't reflect the true picture, thanks in large part to goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma who spared his nation from total disaster.

As Calafiori's own goal decided the heavyweight clash against Spain, condemning Italy to their first Euros defeat in eight years, Spalletti's side remains well-positioned to clinch a last-16 spot, but to do so, they must avoid a loss in their concluding Group B fixture, something they've managed against Croatia in three straight H2Hs, each ending in a 1-1 draw.

This promises to be an exciting and action-packed contest. Vulnerability on the defensive front could seriously hamper Croatia in their quest for the spoils, as they have failed to keep a clean sheet in nine Euro finals matches and allowed a worrying 10 goals in their last three such. The Italian backline, once their hallmark, now shows major lapses, having been pierced in every one of their last six Euro final outings. Given the defensive shortcomings of both nations, goals are expected to flow at both ends of the Red Bull Arena.