Croatia vs Montenegro | Football Previews & Free Betting Tips | 8th September 2025.
Croatia welcome Montenegro to Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb on Monday 8 September 2025 in European qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Croatia are in the mix at the top after a professional win in Tórshavn, while Montenegro are scrapping to stay in touch for the automatic spots. A packed home crowd in Zagreb should make it lively; the visitors will bring a hardy travelling support.
On the grass, Croatia typically build in a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1: secure in the first phase, full-backs high, and plenty of control through midfield before speeding the ball into the box for runners like Andrej Kramarić and Ivan Perišić. Montenegro are more pragmatic in a 4-4-2/4-2-3-1, happy to sit compact, break on turnovers and make set-plays count. It’s control versus punch: Croatia will have most of the ball; Montenegro will try to make the game bitty and nick moments.
Croatia (officially called for this window): Goalkeepers Dominik Livaković, Ivica Ivušić, Dominik Kotarski; Defenders Joško Gvardiol, Josip Juranović, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Josip Šutalo, Josip Stanišić, Marin Pongračić, Martin Erlić; Midfielders Luka Modrić, Mario Pašalić, Lovro Majer, Martin Baturina, Kristijan Jakić, Petar Sučić, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk; Forwards Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Ante Budimir, Marco Pašalić, Franjo Ivanović.
Confirmed absences include Mateo Kovačić (post-surgery recovery). The core group remains intact. Expect Modrić to run the rhythm, Majer to find the half-spaces, and width from Juranović/Perišić. In the box, Kramarić and Budimir give two very different reference points.
Montenegro (current call-ups for this window): Goalkeepers Danijel Petković, Balša Popović, Miloš Dragojević; Defenders Stefan Savić, Igor Vujačić, Slobodan Rubežić, Nikola Šipčić, Andrija Vukčević, Marko Vukčević, Milan Roganović; Midfield/Attack Marko Janković, Edvin Kuč, Miloš Brnović, Marko Bakić, Stefan Lončar, Driton Camaj, Vasilije Adžić, Milan Vukotić, Andrija Bulatović.
No suspensions reported. Savić anchors the defence, Janković and Kuč carry the progression and set-piece delivery, while Camaj/Adžić provide the direct running on counters.
Croatia (last 10 competitive): 3 wins, 3 draws, 4 defeats — goals 16 for, 16 against, with 2 clean sheets. The pattern is familiar: lots of control, but several high-event games recently (seven of the last ten saw both teams score). They tend to turn the screw after the break.
Montenegro (last 10 competitive): 2 wins, 2 draws, 6 defeats — goals 6 for, 15 against, 2 clean sheets. Matches are generally tight, decided by one moment either way. Scoring can be an issue; set-plays and long shots have carried much of the threat.
Tip for mobile readers: rotate your device if anything feels cramped — the table becomes easy-to-scan stat cards on small screens.
| Metric | Croatia | Montenegro |
|---|---|---|
| Average goals scored per match | 1.30 | 0.60 |
| Average goals conceded per match | 1.40 | 1.30 |
| Clean sheet percentage | 20% | 20% |
| Average possession | 55% | 48% |
| Corners per match | 5.00 | 4.00 |
| Shots per match (total / on target) | 12.0 / 4.5 | 9.0 / 3.0 |
| Yellow cards per match | 2.10 | 2.50 |
| Expected goals per match | 1.60 | 0.90 |
| Average set-piece goals scored | 0.30 | 0.20 |
| Average set-piece goals conceded | 0.40 | 0.30 |
| Pass completion | 88% | 81% |
| Tackles / Interceptions per match | 15 / 8 | 14 / 7 |
| Goal timing (first half / second half) | 40% / 60% | 30% / 70% |
| Under 2.5 / Over 2.5 goals | Under 40% / Over 60% | Under 60% / Over 40% |
| Average points per match | 1.30 | 0.80 |
Croatia at home (recent competitive): solid but occasionally loose — across the last four competitive in Croatia it’s 2 wins, 0 draws, 2 defeats, averaging roughly 2.5 scored and 2.0 conceded. They do not concede many chances, but when games open up the scoreline can move quickly.
Montenegro away (recent competitive): a tougher slog — around 1 win from 5, with averages near 0.2 scored and 1.2 conceded. Clean sheets are rare on the road and chance creation dips, so much rides on restarts and the first goal.
On mobiles, rotating your device can make the chart easier to read.
Goals Against
- Andrej Kramarić (Croatia) — sharp movement across the line, tidy finishing from cut-backs and second phases. Montenegro’s low block suits his knack for finding pockets around the penalty spot.
- Joško Gvardiol (Croatia) — elite duels and progressive carrying from the back; steps into midfield to compress play and keep Croatia parked in the final third.
- Stefan Savić (Montenegro) — leadership, aerial strength and dark-arts nous. If Montenegro are to survive long spells without the ball, Savić’s box defending and set-piece presence are vital.
- Edvin Kuč (Montenegro) — late arrivals and long-range shooting provide a genuine out-ball; dangerous on second balls around the edge of the area.
Croatia 2–0 Montenegro. The hosts’ control in midfield, variety of delivery from wide, and superior chance creation should tell across the ninety. Montenegro’s best route is an early set-play, but if Croatia score first, the game state plays perfectly into their hands.
Main pick: Croatia to win to nil. The visitors’ recent away output is low and Croatia’s control should limit shots against.
Value angle: Andrej Kramarić — anytime goalscorer. Leading threat in a side that produces a high volume of cut-backs and second-phase efforts at home.
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