Croatia vs Austria Prediction and Betting Odds | UEFA Nations League June 3

Croatia vs Austria Betting Preview

WagerTalk soccer handicapper Kevin Dolan shares his thoughts on Friday’s Croatia vs Austria clash in the UEFA Nations League. Austria won its Nations League group last year, but now has to step up in competition from the second tier to the first tier.

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Friday, June 3	UEFA Nations League Betting Notes
Croatia:	+105
Austria:	+255
Draw:	+235
Total:	2.25 Goals (Odds Above Courtesy of DraftKings)
Game Time:	2:45pm ET / 11:45am PT

Croatia vs Austria Analysis

Austria travels over to Croatia on Friday looking to continue where they left off in the last Nations League tournament, finishing top of the group with 13 points from six games.

However, that feat was achieved down in Group B and the Austrians will face a far stiffer test this time around in a high-level Group A pool stacked with quality teams.

2018 World Cup finalists Croatia are first up and they had a disappointing campaign last time out, finishing third in the group overall with just one win from six games. However, that was a group containing both France and Portugal so finishing third was to be somewhat expected.

This time around it’s France and Denmark in their pool along with Austria, and both teams will be looking for a quick start here in Osijek as a top-two finish in the group is a realistic prospect for both teams heading into this one.

Austria Looks For Boost From Ralf Rangnick

Former Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has taken the reins of the Austrian national team over the last couple of weeks and the Austrians will be hoping for that new-manager bounce to kick off their Nations League campaign on Friday.

However, the Austrians own a terrible record against Croatia over previous decades, losing all five of their head-to-head’s against them since the year 2000, with three of them coming via Austria getting completely shutout also. Rangnick certainly has his work cut out for him in this opening game.

Croatia Looks For Quick Start

While only just avoiding relegation to Group B last time out on goal difference, the Croatians will be looking for a much quicker start here on Friday against who many consider the weakest opposition in this group in Austria.

That quick start for Croatia is all the more imperative considering they welcome in France on Monday night, a team they’ve struggled with over recent years, losing both the World Cup final against them back in 2018 and both of their recent Nations League tournament games as well in 2020.

Croatia vs Austria Prediction

We’re looking towards the under here on Friday between Austria and Croatia in the first match of Group A1.

Croatia has been tight at the back in international matchups ever since last summer’s 5-3 extra-time shootout against Spain in the Euro’s.

The Croatians have allowed more than one goal just once to opponents over a recent nine game stretch, averaging just 0.56 goals per game to opponents over that run.

Similarly, Austria played tight over their most recent Nations League campaign as well, allowing just one goal to opponents over their final three wins in that group and welcome in a new manger in Ralf Rangnick who likes his teams to play possession based probing football and the Austrians likely play this one low key on the road on Friday.

We like the under 2.25 goals in this one on Friday between Austria and Croatia over in the Nations League.

Stoppage Time | UEFA Nations League Preview

No rest for the weary! The regular season is over for Europe’s top leagues, but now we enter into a summer filled with international prep for the 2022 World Cup. Join Carmine, Nick and Kevin for Stoppage Time as we break down this week’s featured matchups in the UEFA Nations League, including Spain vs Portugal; Belgium vs Netherlands; France vs Denmark; and Italy vs Germany.

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Meet the Author

‘The sharpest sports mind in Ireland’ is how one prominent newspaper dubbed Kevin Dolan after he became the first foreigner ever to win the World Series of Handicapping tournament back in 2015. “The Irishman” made his start wagering on GAA, football, soccer and boxing, all to immense success. Since becoming a professional bettor, he has since lit up the sports betting scene in the U.S. and abroad, winning two handicapping awards and writing a best-selling book on sports handicapping named ‘The Complete Guide to Sports Betting’.

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