Introduction
The FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification continues today, Monday 8th September 2025, as Croatia welcomes Montenegro in a Group L fixture at the Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb. Kick-off is scheduled for 6:45 PM UTC.
Zlatko Dalić’s team are still undefeated heading into the fixture, and they look to keep their unbeaten streak alive when they host a Montenegro side hoping to keep their World Cup dreams alive. Whatever your intention, if you follow the bet or football, you should expect thrills, spills and plenty of action as a result.
Croatia vs Montenegro Match Preview
Croatia's Excellent Start
Croatia got the World Cup Qualifiers off to a fantastic start with 3 games played and 3 games won for an aggregate scoreline of 13-1. Croatia is strong in front of goal, scoring yet remaining resolute.
Wins: 7-0 vs Gibraltar, 5-1 vs Czech Republic, 1-0 vs Faroe Islands,
Goals Scored: 13,
Goals Conceded: 1;
In the last game, Croatia held on for a win against the Faroe Islands after the strike by Andrej Kramarić in the first half, cementing their place in history and keeping the Checkered Ones unbeaten. Croatia sits second in Group L, three points behind the Czech Republic, but importantly, they have two games in hand. At home, Croatia is nearly unbeatable and remain undefeated in competitive home qualifiers from 2023 onwards.
Montenegro's Mixed Form
Montenegro had a pair of bright starts, winning their first two games against Gibraltar and the Faroe Islands; however, they experienced reality checks with back-to-back 2-0 defeats to the Czech Republic.
Currently:
3rd in Group L
6 points from 4 matches
Scored: 4 | Conceded 5
Robert Prosinečki's men are facing some pressures. The away form for Montenegro will make currently grim reading for the players and staff – winless away from home since March 2023, against the FIFA World Ranking 10 team, and positioning the squad will be an even greater challenge.
Team News
Croatia
Injuries/Concerns: Mateo Kovačić (Achilles), Josko Gvardiol, Josip Stanišić (fitness concerns)
Returns: Luka Modrić will likely start after being rested last match.
Probable line-up (4-2-3-1):
Livaković (GK); Jakić, Pongračić, Ćaleta-Car, Sosa; Modrić, Sučić; Perišić, Kramarić, Pašalić; Budimir
Montenegro
Unavailable: Milutin Osmajić, Igor Nikic, Risto Radunović, Adam Marušić (injuries).
Key Player: Stevan Jovetić (37 international goals)
Probable line-up (4-3-3):
Petković (GK); M. Vukčević, Savić, Vujačić, A. Vukčević; Janković, Bulatović, Brnović; Vukotić, Krstović, Jovetić
Match Statistics & Records
First competitive meeting between Croatia and Montenegro
Croatia are unbeaten in their last 13 World Cup qualifiers at home (W10, D3).
Montenegro have failed to score in their last two competitive games.
Croatia have scored 13 goals in the past 3 qualifiers.
Montenegro's away record is winless since March 2023.
Tactical Breakdown
Croatia
Zlatko Dalić has installed tactical versatility that Croatia operates with. Their preferred style of play is possession football and using sharp transitions into and out of possession, along with a compact defensive shape. The addition of both Ante Budimir and Antonio Kramaic is an indication that Croatia will be building threats from different attacking angles, with Krmaic and Ivan Perišić providing ideas from wide areas and Budimir offering an aerial threat.
Montenegro
Robert Prosinečki will favour a compact defensive shape and will look to counter-attack at pace. Montenegro’s big issue is keeping their defensive shape when playing away from home, and they often get overrun in midfield. With the absence of Osmajić, they have a lot to rely on Jovetić, who will be looking to share the attacking burdens with Krstović.
Betting Predictions
Pre-Match Betting Market
Croatia to win: (81.82%)
Draw: (15.38%)
Montenegro to win: (8.33%)
Expert Predictions
Correct Score Prediction: Croatia 3-0 Montenegro
Alternative Scoreline: Croatia 4-0 Montenegro
Goals Market: The under 3.5 goals market seems a likely prospect (Croatia are often cautious at this stage of the qualifiers).
Corners Market: The over 9.5 corners market seems probable, given Croatia's attacking wide play.
Players to Watch
Luka Modrić (Croatia) – The absolute heartbeat of the midfield, and affects the tempo of play with his precision passing
Andrej Kramarić (Croatia) – Already getting goals in the earlier qualifiers and a constant threat and creative influence in the final third.
Stevan Jovetić (Montenegro) – An experienced striker who has represented Montenegro 75 times, who will carry the goal-scoring pressure for the visitors.
Ivan Perišić (Croatia) – A quality winger who has experience playing at the highest level, keeping width whilst supplying invention and creativity in attacking transitions.
Croatia vs Montenegro: Final Prediction
It’s hard to argue against Croatia in this clash. Croatia has the home advantage, form and strength in the squad ahead of an underwhelming Montenegro side who haven’t travelled well lately and have issues in attack with only one striker to pick and a lack of goals.
Prediction: Croatia 3-0 Montenegro
Conclusion
The Croatia vs Montenegro World Cup Qualifier (08.09.2025) match is critical for the Group L teams. Croatia are head-and-shoulders the best side in the group with their attacking abilities, defensive shape, and home field, therefore making them favourites for the match, contrary to Montenegro and their mission to stay alive in the race for a spot in the World Cup with all three points.
