Montenegro vs Croatia prediction, H2H and probable lineups, November 17, 2025

By Author On Nov 17, 2025

Montenegro and Croatia meet again in what’s usually a pretty spicy Balkan matchup, and honestly this one might matter more than usual. Both sides are still fighting for their own goals in this qualification run, and with the group table so tight, even a small slip could shake everything. Croatia obviously walk in as the bigger name, but Montenegro at home can be a real handful — especially when the crowd gets going. Expect intensity, physical battles, and probably a couple nervy moments.

Form Guide

Montenegro:
The Montenegrins have been very up-and-down lately. One minute they look sharp and organized, next minute they struggle to create chances. Their home form has been better though, and that’s something they’ll try to lean on again. Defensively they can be solid, but scoring has been a bit of a headache.

Croatia:
Croatia come in looking steadier overall, but they’ve had their own stumbles this campaign. Still, the squad is packed with experience, and they usually find a way to get results when it counts. They control games well, but their finishing hasn’t always matched their build-up play.

Head-to-Head

Croatia have definitely had the upper hand in this fixture over the years. Montenegro have pushed them in a few meetings, but the Croatians generally know how to grind these games out. The matchups tend to be cagey early on, then open up later as legs get tired.

Team News

Montenegro:
A couple injury concerns hanging around, especially in midfield where they’re missing a bit of depth. The coach might have to tweak the setup to keep the middle of the park balanced. Up front, expect the usual attacking pair but they’ll need better service if they want goals.

Croatia:
Croatia look close to full strength, with just one or two players not fully fit. Their midfield remains their biggest weapon — no surprise. The only question is whether they go with a more attacking shape or keep things cautious away from home.

Probable Lineups

Montenegro (likely XI):
GK: Petković
DEF: Marušić, Savić, Vujačić, Vešović
MID: Janković, Kosović, Hakšabanović
ATT: Mugoša, Jovović, Karadžić

Players to Watch

Montenegro – Sead Hakšabanović:
Their main creative spark. If he finds space between the lines, Montenegro suddenly look a lot more dangerous.

Croatia – Luka Modrić:
He’s older but still the guy who makes everything tick. If he controls the pace, Croatia usually dominate.

Prediction

It’s tough because Montenegro at home are way more stubborn than people expect. Croatia, though, just have the better squad and usually handle this fixture. So a tight one feels likely — something like Croatia to win 2–1 in a pretty gritty match.

Betting Tips

Both Teams to Score – Yes (Montenegro at home tend to find one, even against stronger sides)
Croatia to Win (quality edge)
Over 2.5 Goals if you want a slightly riskier play
Anytime Scorer: Kramarić

Wrap-Up

This one should be tense, loud, and honestly pretty fun. Montenegro won’t fear Croatia, but Croatia’s experience might carry them through again. Either way, it’s one of the standout games of the round. Enjoy the fireworks!