Preview: Colombia vs Croatia – prediction, team news, lineups

Colombia and Croatia are stepping up their World Cup preparations with a tasty worldwide pleasant this Thursday evening on the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, USA.

Los Cafeteros haven’t tasted defeat in over a yr, whereas their European opponents will likely be trying to preserve their epic run of outcomes, which has seen them declare seven wins from eight. 

Match preview

Colombia missed out on the 2022 World Cup, however they’ve since come again sturdy by qualifying for the 2026 version in sensational model.

Nestor Lorenzo and his males solely misplaced 4 of their 18 qualifying video games, whereas additionally scoring 28 targets – three adrift of high goalscorers Argentina.

The targets have saved on coming in latest months, with Los Cafeteros placing six previous Colombia, 4 previous Mexico, and even three previous Australia of their final official outing.

Lorenzo’s facet are unbeaten since their 2-1 defeat towards Brazil final March, and the team are constructing critical momentum forward of their extremely-anticipated World Cup return.

Games towards Croatia and France will present critical checks for La Tricolor, and they’ll want it as they put together to share their World Cup group with European giants, Portugal.

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Croatia are additionally stepping up their World Cup preparations by reserving friendlies towards Colombia, Brazil and Belgium.

The European nation secured podium finishes at their two earlier World Cups, and emulating these achievements is not going to be simple for Zlatko Dalic and his males.

Captain Luka Modric and vice-captain Ivan Perisic have a mixed age of 77, whereas different key gamers similar to Andrej Kramaric, Mario Pasalic and Dominik Livakovic are all properly into their 30s.

Young members of the squad may have a chance to shine throughout these upcoming worldwide friendlies, and Dalic definitely wants them to step up forward of this summer season’s massive event.

Croatia have by no means gone head-to-head with Colombia, however the South American nation is predicted to supply much more resistance than their latest opponents. 

Despite successful seven of their final eight internationals, Croatia’s hardest opponent throughout that run was Czechia, who’re ranked forty third by FIFA.

Colombia type (all competitions):

W W W D W W 

Croatia type (all competitions):

W W D W W W 

Team News

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Colombia have carried out properly in attacking areas over latest months, although Luis Diaz stays one in all two gamers within the squad with 20 or extra worldwide targets.

The Bayern Munich ahead has been within the thick of the motion for the German membership in latest occasions, and his expertise will likely be pivotal for the nationwide facet.

Speaking of expertise, captain James Rodriguez will likely be trying to bag his 123rd worldwide cap because the Minnesota United star continues to be an essential determine for the nationwide team.

In phrases of absentees, defender Yerry Mina will not be within the squad and won’t add to his spectacular tally of 52 caps.

Croatia, then again, nonetheless have numerous expertise within the squad, particularly via aforementioned Modric, Perisic and Kramaric.

Should Modric get some minutes over in Orlando, the AC Milan man will hit 195 worldwide appearances.

In the goalkeeping division, there are two names with out worldwide expertise, together with Hull City’s Ivor Pandur.

Dalic may decide to offer some a lot-wanted worldwide minutes to Pandur or Karlo Letica over Dominik Livakovic, who has already amassed 71 appearances for Croatia.

Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic are the massive absentees for the nationwide facet as they proceed to battle with accidents. 

Colombia doable beginning lineup:

Vargas; Arias, Sanchez, Lucumi, Cabal; Lerma, Rios; Quintero, Rodriguez, Diaz; Suarez

Croatia doable beginning lineup:

Letica; Jakic, Sutalo, Caleta-Car, Stanisic; Modric, Moro; Pasalic, Vlasic, Perisic; Budimir

We say: Colombia 2-1 Croatia

International friendlies are usually troublesome to foretell, because it all will depend on the extent of depth.

Both groups are in good type, although Colombia are producing some great goalscoring numbers, and we’re backing that development to proceed. 

For knowledge evaluation of the almost certainly outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.