Croatia vs Czech Republic: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction

Patrik Schick has kicked off his campaign in style
Patrik Schick has kicked off his campaign in style / Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
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Who'd have thought we'd all be tuning into Croatia vs Czech Republic to watch Patrik Schick?

Sure it'll be great to watch Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric strut his stuff, but it's the fella who scored from near the halfway line we're really interested in!

Schick's superb display at Hampden Park in his side's opening game of the tournament against Scotland has provided us with the highlight of the tournament so far - or at least David Marshall bouncing out of the net like a ragdoll has - and his side are in action again on Friday as they face Croatia.

Zlatko Dalic's side did very little to suggest they were going to trouble England in their first game of Euro 2020, and the 1-0 defeat means their game against the Czech Republic is more important than ever.

Here's 90min's preview of the upcoming clash...


What TV channel is Croatia vs Czech Republic on?

Hampden Park will host Friday's game
Hampden Park will host Friday's game / AFP/Getty Images

When is kick off? Friday 18 June, 17:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Hampden Park, Glasgow
What TV Channel is it on? BBC One (UK),fuboTV(US)
Who is the referee? Carlos del Cerro Grande
Who's on VAR duty? Juan Martínez Munuera


Croatia team news

Croatia ready themselves for their clash with England
Croatia ready themselves for their clash with England / Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images

Modric is expected to be fit for the clash despite having trained alone earlier in the week, while Croatia's blunt attacking display against England could see head coach Dalic tweak his system slightly as he goes in search of a more offensive performance.

Former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren missed the game at Wembley on Sunday but he's fit and available for selection once again, though the game is likely to come too soon to see the return of Borna Barisic.


Czech Republic team news

Not only did Czech Republic boss Jaroslav Silhavy have three points to celebrate from his side's game against Scotland on Monday, he also had the added bonus that his team escaped virtually unscathed from the clash.

Schick's incredible brace means he's probably the first name on the team sheet for Friday's return to Hampden Park, though there's another man who will once again by vying for some game time...


Our 21 - One to Watch

Adam Hlozek
Adam Hlozek / MICHAL CIZEK/Getty Images

Adam Hlozek is unlikely to be afforded a start against Croatia, though he proved in his 20-minute cameo against Scotland that he's got plenty to offer this Czech Republic side. The frontman is already being courted by some big clubs and given the chance to showcase his prodigious talent at Euro 2020, his list of potential suitors is like to get even longer.


Predicted lineups

Croatia: Livakovic; Vrsaljko, Vida, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol; Modric, Kovacic; Brekalo, Vlasic, Perisic; Petkovic

Czech Republic: Vaclik; Coufal, Kalas, Celustka, Boril; Soucek, Kral; Masopust, Darida, Jankto; Schick


Croatia vs Czech Republic head-to-head record

These two sides have only met each other on three previous occasions, with Croatia unbeaten against the Czechs heading into Friday's meeting.

Croatia have one win and two draws from their three past encounters, with their most recent clash coming back at Euro 2016 when a late Tomas Necid penalty rescued a 2-2 draw for the Czech Republic in Group D.


Croatia vs Czech Republic score prediction

Luka Modric will be hoping to have more of an impact on Friday than he did at Wembley
Luka Modric will be hoping to have more of an impact on Friday than he did at Wembley / Pixsell/MB Media/Getty Images

Both of these sides are pretty well matched, but you've got to think Croatia can't be as toothless up top as they were against England, and similarly Schick can't be as incredible as he was against Scotland.

Even after losing their first game of Euro 2020 you'd fancy Croatia to qualify from Group D, and if they are to progress to the knockout rounds they'll want to put themselves in a strong position heading into the final round of group games.

It's likely to be a close one but we fancy Croatia to just about edge it.

Prediction: Croatia 2-1 Czech Republic