Boiling hot in Group D: Modric & Co. biting their nails while relying on Armenia

The vice-champion of the 2018 World Cup, the third-placed from Qatar, the best generation in the history of Croatian football, is on the edge of an abyss. Defeats to Turkey and Wales set off alarms, Zlatko Dalić's company is no longer in control of their own destiny. In the next two matches, they have to wait for the Welsh to trip, with whom they share second place with 10 points. The Turks are the surprise leaders of Group D and have already qualified for next year's continental championship in Germany.

Latvia should not be a difficult opponent today, but before that, Luka Modrić and his friends will heartily support Armenia, which welcomes Wales in Yerevan. The host has a theoretical chance for Germany, so it won't be easy for Robert Page's team. If they do not win the tickets for the EURO 2024 in the next three days, the Croats will have a back-up option, the play-off of the Nations League, as the last chance for the world's third-best national team to qualify for Germany next year. Not attending the championship would be a big blow for the Checkered Ones.

EURO2024Q: Three Lions did enough to go by, Azzurri let out their frustrations late

Zlatko Dalić cannot rely on the strongest team again. The already injured Ivan Perišić has been gone for a long time, the Dinamo striker Bruno Petković has not recovered, Mateo Kovačić is out, as well as Sučić, Marko Livaja is in the past... The coach brought back Ante Budimir to the national team, who should be the first striker in Riga.

"We have to change the way we play, to work for Budimir. Crosses from the wing, one on one, more risk in attacking play. We simply have to score a goal", Dalić said.

Latvia does not inspire awe, but the way Croats have been performing lately, caution is necessary.

"Our respect to the opponent, because they are playing on their home field, the Turks won there too, Armenia lost, Wales struggled with more players, that's what we expect as well. We have to put up with it. This will be a different game, harder than in Rijeka, there must be patience", warns Dalić.

Apart from the Osasuna striker, wing players Luka Ivanušec and Andrej Kramarić will be responsible for the goal-scoring. Pasalić will be slightly behind, while the central midfield is held by Luka Modrić and Marcelo Brozović. The wall in front of Livaković will be made of Guardiol, Erlić, Šutalo and Stanišić.

Croatia beat the Latvians 5-0 in Rijeka at the beginning of September, and double scorer Petković, who will not be in the team this time due to injury, stood out. The Checkered Ones won all five games against the Baltic team, which in 450 minutes shook the net of Croatia only once.

The Welsh hold their destiny in their hands. If they win the next two matches, they go to the EURO 2024. On Tuesday, a carefree Turkey comes to Cardiff, which has already resolved the question of qualifying, so the visit to Yerevan could be a more difficult test than the match against the group leader. Coach Robert Page believes that his team will qualify for the European Championship.

"The atmosphere is positive. Our full focus is on this game. We will not say a word about Turkey on Tuesday. We have experience playing such big matches, and it will be like that in Yerevan", said Page.

In the first match in Cardiff, Armenia shocked the Dragons, winning 4-2. The Welsh will be without the services of captain Aaron Ramsey. The former Arsenal and Juventus player, now a member of Cardiff City in the Championship, cannot play due to an injury, but he traveled with the team to Yerevan.

"He is the captain and he wanted to travel. He was with the team all week. That speaks volumes about the commitment to the national team," concluded Page.

In Ramsey's absence, the captain's armband is handed to Ben Davies. Tottenham striker Brennan Johnson is back in the team, but will likely start from the bench. David Brooks, Harry Wilson and Kiefer Moore, who were brilliant against Croatia, are preferred. Midfielder Joe Morrell also returned to the team after his suspension. Defenders Niall Huggins and Jay Dasilva could make their debuts in the national team.

Wales will also play against tradition. Armenia remained undefeated in three previous duels against the Welsh (two draws and a win).

EURO 2024 QUALIFIERS

Saturday

17:00: (4.40) Armenia (3.50) Wales (1.95)

20:00: (1.57) Belarus (3.80) Andorra (8.00)

20:00: (22.0) Latvia (10.5) Croatia (1.13)

22:45: (1.33) Switzerland (5.40) Kosovo (11.0)

22:45: (1.15) Netherlands (9.50) R.Ireland (19.0)

22:45: (2.85) Israel (3.20) Romania (2.60)

22:45: (1.01) France (25.0) Gibraltar (70.0)

***odds are subject to change***