Preview: Armenia vs. Croatia - prediction, team news, lineups

Armenia take on Croatia at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium on Monday evening, in the latest round of qualifiers for Euro 2024.

As things stand, the hosts are third in the group, level on points with their opponents, who sit in second place.

Match preview

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At the half-way stage of qualification, Armenia are likely to be fairly happy with how they have performed, given that they are still in with a shout of reaching the group stages of the Euros for the first time in history.

Havakakan have taken seven points from their opening four games, meaning they are level on points with their upcoming opponents and three points behind first-placed Turkey with a game in hand at their disposal.

Oleksandr Petrakov's side have put themselves in a relatively strong position by defeating Latvia and Wales, running out surprise 4-2 winners against the latter at the Cardiff City Stadium back in June.

While Armenia are faring well in Group D, they may be left to rue the fact they have failed to record a victory against Turkey, losing 2-1 in their opening match before drawing 1-1 last time out.

Havakakan put in a valiant performance away in Eskisehir in their last match, gaining the lead courtesy of Artak Dashyan's goal just after half time, but the hosts managed to equalise through Bertug Yildirim very late on, denying the visitors all three points.

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As such, a victory on Monday could be of the utmost importance to Armenia, but they will have their work cut out against a Croatia side that are yet to lose in their Euro 2024 qualification matches.

Vatreni have played the fewest games of any team in Group D, having only had three outings so far, in which they have amassed seven points, most recently putting in a dominant display against Latvia.

At Stadion HNK Rijeka, Zlatko Dalic's side emerged 5-0 winners after dominating possession and recording 28 shots throughout the match, following up an important victory against Turkey back in March.

In what looked like a tough game on paper, Croatia breezed to a 2-0 win at the Timsah Arena courtesy of a brace from Mateo Kovacic, meaning they are now in a very strong position to qualify, but the job is not done yet.

A win on Monday night would see Vatreni move to the top of Group D at the halfway stage, courtesy of their head-to-head record against Turkey, while it would also see them move three points clear of their opponents, providing some much-needed breathing room.

Team News

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Despite not being able to hold on to their lead, Petrakov is likely to be happy with his Armenia side's performance against Turkey, so he may stick with the same starting lineup, utilising a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Grant-Leon Ranos has broken into the Borussia Monchengladbach team this season, making two Bundesliga appearances, and the 20-year-old is set to lead the line, having already scored two goals in qualification for Euro 2024.

Croatia manager Dalic opted for a very strong starting lineup against Latvia last time out, and given that Monday's game could prove to be a tough test, he is likely to field a similar team, also using a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Bruno Petkovic could be the danger man for Vatreni, having scored four goals in his last two games for club and country, while captain Luka Modric should keep his place in holding midfield, just behind Luka Ivanusec, who scored his second international goal in the last match.

Armenia possible starting lineup:
Cancarevic; Dashyan, Haroyan, Harutyunyan, Mkrtchyan; Iwu, Spertsyan, Bichakhchyan, Zelarayan, Tiknizyan; Ranos

Croatia possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Juranovic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Sosa; Brozovic, Modric, Kramaric, Ivanusec, Perisic; Petkovic

We say: Armenia 0-1 Croatia

Armenia have looked very impressive in Euro 2024 qualification, punching above their weight to pick up positive results against Wales and Turkey, so they are likely to put up a real fight on Monday night.

However, Croatia should have the quality to eke out a narrow victory, which would move them to the top of Group D.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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