Croatia v Ghana: Baturina and Yirenkyi target breakthrough in tight tactical contest

Croatia face Ghana on 27 June at 21:00 (GMT) in a match that could define the direction of their current campaign, with both sides showing inconsistent but promising form in recent outings.

Croatia arrive with a mixed run of results, registering one win and one defeat in their last two matches (form: LW). That pattern underlines their unpredictability, with a strong performance often followed by a setback. Ghana travel in slightly better short-term shape, unbeaten in their last two games with one win and one draw (form: WD), suggesting a side that has become harder to beat and more difficult to break down.

The key statistics of the players of both teams this season:

• Assists: Ivan Perišić (Croatia) — 1 assists, (Ghana) — 0 assists.
• Goalkeepers saves: Dominik Livaković (Croatia) — 7, Lawrence Ati Zigi (Ghana) — 1
• Tackles: None (Croatia) — None, None (Ghana) — None.
• Most encounters won: Martin Baturina (Croatia) — 6, Jordan Ayew (Ghana) — 12.
• Yellow cards: None (Croatia) — None, None (Ghana) — None.
• Red cards: None (Croatia) — None, None (Ghana) — None.

Top 5 scorers this season:

1. L. Messi (5, Argentina)
2. Kylian Mbappé (4, France)
3. E. Haaland (4, Norway)
4. D. Undav (3, Germany)
5. J. David (3, Canada)

Team statistics:

Martin Baturina stands out as a key attacking figure for Croatia, having scored 1 goal this season. His influence between the lines is central to Croatia’s offensive approach, frequently linking midfield play with the forward line. Caleb Yirenkyi, also on 1 goal for Ghana this season, offers a focal point in attack for the visitors, combining mobility with a direct threat behind defences. Both managers will look to these players to provide the cutting edge in what is expected to be a cagey game.

The five previous matches played by the teams:

• Croatia — LW
• Ghana — WD

Croatia’s home form this season has been erratic. They have recorded 1 home win, 0 draws and 1 home defeat, highlighting a sharp contrast between their best and worst performances. The biggest home win of their season so far ended with a score of 0, but they have also suffered a significant setback away from home with a 4-2 defeat, their heaviest loss on the road. That 4-2 reverse exposed vulnerabilities in transition and on defensive set-pieces, issues they will need to correct quickly against a Ghana side that carries pace on the counter.

According to home statistics this season, Croatia scores more goals and concedes more in the following intervals:

Intervals	Goal Scored, %	Goals conceded, %
0-15	66.67%	25.00%
16-30	33.33%	25.00%
31-45		25.00%
46-60		25.00%
61-75
76-90
91-105

Ghana has the following time frames of scoring and conceding goals:

Intervals	Goal Scored, %	Goals conceded, %
0-15	100.00%
16-30
31-45
46-60
61-75
76-90
91-105

Head-to-head stats:

Teams	Games	Win		Draws		Losses
		H	A	H	A	H	A
Croatia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Ghana		0	0	0	0	0	0

Probabilities before the match:

Croatia		Ghana
59.0%	Winning the game	59.0%
75%	Attack potential	75%
0%	Potential in defense	0%
0%	Strength against each other	0%
0%	Goal Potential	0%

Summary: the probability of Ghana winning – 30%, draw – 35%, loss – 35%. Thus Croatia, most likely, win (win or draw)

Goal Forecast:Croatia, is likely to score -2.5 goals, Ghana is likely to score no more than -1.5.

The bookmaker odds for this match:

Home win	Draw	Away win
SBO 1.83	Bet365 3.32	Marathonbet 5.6

Save the date

The match between the teams Croatia and Ghana will take place on June 27 at 21:00 (GMT) at the stadium Lincoln Financial Field.