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WORLD CUP 2026 · Saturday, 27 June 2026 at 22:00 BST
Croatia
2 – 1
Ghana

Match preview

Croatia are clear favourites on ratings, with the model at 59%. Only a poor recent run (mixed) gives Ghana a way in.

59%
Croatia
18%
Draw
23%
Ghana
Model fair odds
Croatia
1.69
Draw
5.56
Ghana
4.35

Decimal fair odds from the model probabilities before bookmaker margin.

Croatia
59%
Draw
18%
Ghana
23%
Elo rating: 1955 vs 1754 (+201)
Recent form: WWLWL vs LDWDL
Host advantage: Neutral venue
Model verdict: 59% / 18% / 23%
Most likely scores
Croatia 1–0 (14%)
Croatia 2–0 (13%)
Draw 1–1 (10%)
Croatia 2–1 (10%)
Why Croatia are favourites (59%)
  • Croatia carry the higher Elo rating (+201 points)
  • Neutral venue — no home advantage applied
  • Croatia won 3 of their last five (3W 2L)
  • Ghana mixed recent form (1W 2D 2L)
  • Head-to-head treated as neutral — too few recent meetings to weigh (10% of the blend)

These factors combine to produce the 59% / 18% / 23% verdict above.

Expected match pattern

Croatia are expected to control possession and territory, while Ghana will likely rely on defensive organisation and counter-attacks. An early Croatia goal would force Ghana to open up, raising the chance of a multi-goal result; the longer it stays level, the more pressure shifts onto the favourites.

Expected goals: Croatia 1.9 · Ghana 0.7

Quick stats

MetricCroatiaGhana
Elo rating19551754
Last 5 record3W 2L1W 2D 2L
Goals last 573
Goals conceded last 585
Clean sheets last 512

Croatia — last 5

  • Wv Ghana21
  • W@ Panama10
  • L@ England24
  • Wv Slovenia21
  • Lv Belgium02

Ghana — last 5

  • L@ Croatia12
  • D@ England00
  • Wv Panama10
  • D@ Wales11
  • L@ Mexico02

Head to head

27 Jun 2026
Croatia
21
Ghana

Confirmed lineups

Croatia · 4-2-3-1
  1. 1D. Livakovic G
  2. 2J. Stanisic D
  3. 6J. Sutalo D
  4. 3M. Pongracic D
  5. 14I. Perisic D
  6. 10L. Modric M
  7. 8M. Kovacic M
  8. 13N. Vlasic M
  9. 17P. Sucic M
  10. 16M. Baturina M
  11. 11A. Budimir F
Ghana · 4-1-4-1
  1. 16B. Asare
  2. 26M. Senaya D
  3. 4J. Adjetey D
  4. 23D. Luckassen D
  5. 14G. Mensah D
  6. 5T. Partey M
  7. 11A. Semenyo M
  8. 15E. Owusu M
  9. 8K. Sibo M
  10. 22K. Sulemana M
  11. 9J. Ayew F

Key matchups

A. Budimir vs J. Adjetey

Croatia's focal point in attack against the heart of Ghana's defence.

N. Vlasic vs E. Owusu

The central-midfield battle most likely to decide who controls possession and territory.

J. Ayew vs J. Sutalo

Ghana's main outlet — how Croatia's central defence handles him shapes the counter-attack threat.

Predictions are model output, not betting advice. The model blends an Elo rating, last-5 form and host advantage; ratings update after every tournament result, and fair odds and likely scorelines are derived from the same blend. Bet responsibly — 18+. See PuntHub for verified tipster services.