Preview: Croatia vs. Italy

Croatia host Italy in Split on Friday evening looking to stretch their unbeaten run over their opponents to eight games in all competitions.

Despite their array of talent, Italy have struggled to reach their potential since last summer's World Cup but they make the trip to Eastern Europe just two points behind their opponents in Group H.

Croatia

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Croatia head into their final competitive fixture of the season having recorded four wins from five matches during the first half of the group.

The Vatreni may have expected to be sitting in second spot at this stage after an early away fixture in Italy, but Niko Kovac's men have proven that they are good enough to finish ahead of their group rivals.

Since last summer's World Cup, they have suffered just one defeat in eight games - a 2-1 defeat to eventual finalists Argentina - while they warmed up for their upcoming match with a 4-0 triumph against minnows Gibraltar.

That fixture saw striker Mario Mandzukic register his first international goal since September, and Kovac will be expecting an improved run of form from the Atletico Madrid man should he retain him in the starting lineup.

Croatia are generally considered strong performers at home, but in 11 games at Stadion Poljud, they have recorded just one success.

Recent form: WWWDW Recent form (all competitions): WWLDWW

Italy

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Italy have put together an unbeaten run since bowing out of the last World Cup during the group stages, but Gli Azzurri have been relatively disappointing during the last nine months.

They sit second in a group that they were expected to be heading at this stage, and it can be argued that they are fortunate to be within two points of their opponents on Friday night.

The minnows of the group - Azerbaijan and Malta - were both only beaten by one goal, as were Albania in a friendly back in November.

A late equaliser saved their blushes in a 2-2 draw with Bulgaria, while they also failed to see off England from a winning position earlier this year.

While they have scored in every match this campaign, they haven't managed to net more than twice, which will be an increasing worry to coach Antonio Conte.

Italy's defence are doing their job, but with Croatia expected to pose a constant threat to their goal in Spilt, they may need to find something extra in the middle and final thirds of the pitch in order to leave with at least a point.

Recent form: WWWDD Recent form (all competitions): WWDWDD

Team News

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Kovac should be able to include midfielder Ivan Rakitic after he helped Barcelona win the Champions League last weekend.

However, key player Luka Modric is missing because of a knee injury, meaning that Milan Badelj and Anas Sharbini are in contention to be promoted to the starting XI.

Conte is without a whole host of players who featured in his previous squad, with Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli, Simone Zaza and Luca Antonelli all on the sidelines.

Andrea Ranocchia, Davide Astori, Mattia De Sciglio and Graziano Pelle could all find themselves in the starting lineup in their place.

Croatia possible starting lineup: Subasic, Srna, Corluka, Vida, Pranjic, Olic, Brozovic, Badelj, Perisic, Rakitic, Mandzukic

Italy possible starting lineup: Buffon, Ranocchia, Bonucci, Astori, Darmian, De Sciglio, Candreva, Verratti, Bertolacci, Immobile, Pelle

Head To Head

Italy have won just one of their eight previous meetings with Croatia, which came in their first contest back in 1942.

Since their second clash 52 years later, Croatia have prevailed on three occasions while the other four results have ended in draws.

Their last fixture in November ended in a 1-1 draw, with Ivan Perisic cancelling out the opening goal from Antonio Candreva.

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We say: Croatia 2-1 Italy

Croatia have slipped up against Scotland and Portugal on their home patch over the past two years, but under Kovac, they have been performing to a consistent level and that will be required to get the better of Italy, who are under pressure to avoid being dragged into a battle for second place.