Defending champions France have had a rough start to the UEFA Nations League this season, but they will be aiming for their first victory when Croatia visits the Stade de France on Monday night.
Les Bleus have had a difficult time this international break, as they have drawn back-to-back games, including a 1-1 draw in Croatia on Sunday.
After a string of disappointing losses, the reigning World Champions have dropped to the bottom of League A Group 1 and are in serious risk of being relegated from the Nations League's top flight.
Prior to their eye-catching 1-0 win in Denmark on Friday, Croatia had been propping up the group, a result that will have strengthened Zlatko Dalic's side's confidence ahead of their trip to the French capital.
News from the team.
During the international break, France had concerns about Kylian Mbappe's fitness, but the Paris Saint-Germain forward came off the bench to score a late equalizer against Austria on Friday, and he should now be fit enough to start.
Wissam Other players pressing for recalls include Ben Yedder, Presnel Kimpembe, Matteo Guendouzi, and Christopher Nkunku, while N'Golo Kante has withdrawn from the squad due to a knee problem, and Lucas Hernandez will be absent due to his partner's impending baby.
Croatia picked up no new fitness worries in their win over Denmark, although they are still without injured pair Ivan Perisic and Josko Gvardiol, as well as left backs Borna Barisic and Borna Sosa, who were both absent in Copenhagen.
Josip Juranovic came in at left back on Friday and is expected to do so again, while Domagoj Vida, Duje Caleta-Car, Mateo Kovacic, and inspiring captain Luka Modric could all return to the starting XI.
The figures.
In this match, history is on France's side, as they have won six of their nine previous games with Croatia, including a 4-2 victory in the 2018 World Cup final.
Croatia has never beaten France and has only escaped loss on French territory once, in a goalless draw in an international friendly in 2011, but Vatreni will enter this encounter having lost just one of their 12 matches since the Euros last summer.
Prior to losing at home to Denmark at the start of the international break, France was on a seven-match winning streak, and Didier Deschamps' side is now hoping to avoid back-to-back defeats on home soil for the first time in nearly a decade.
Predictions.
This feels like a game that France practically has to win, and Mbappe's return to full fitness will undoubtedly give Deschamps' side the cutting edge they lacked in their first two group games.
In his last seven appearances for France, Kylian Mbappe has scored ten goals.
In his last seven appearances for France, Kylian Mbappe has scored ten goals.
Mbappe has scored one goal per game for France this calendar year, and he appears to be a lock to do it again on Monday.
He's scored against Croatia twice before, including in the World Cup final four years ago.
Croatia's road form has been strong, with Dalic's team winning their past four matches away from home, but it's difficult to see them defeating France in this one.
However, there should be plenty of entertainment in Paris, as France has scored in each of their past 23 matches, but only one clean sheet in their last five.
Croatia has scored 12 goals in their last four road matches, and both teams appear to be in good shape to score on Monday, though France is more likely to be celebrating come the final whistle.
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