Neither Croatia nor Belgium are among the outright favourites to win World Cup 2026, but both European nations have the potential to be dark horses. All things considered, reaching the quarter-finals would represent success for two relatively small nations. Which way will this friendly at Stadion HNK Rijecka go?Draw – 9/4 with SpreadexUnder 2.5 goals – 10/11 with Sky BetJeremy Doku to score any time – 3/1 with 247BetCroatia vs Belgium head to head overviewDate: Tuesday 2nd June.Kick-off: 5pm.Venue: Stadion HNK Rijecka, Rijecka, Croatia.Where to watch: Amazon Prime PPV, DAZN.Referee: Rade Obrenovic.VAR: TBC.Last meeting: 1st December 2020; Croatia 0-0 Belgium.Last 9 matches: Croatia – 3 wins; Belgium – 3 wins; Draws – 3.Favourite to win: Croatia.Croatia vs Belgium predicted lineupsCroatia expected lineup: Livakovic; Pongracic, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Stanisic, Modric, M. Pasalic, Perisic; Kramaric, Baturina; Budimir.Belgium expected lineup: Courtois; Castagne, De Winter, Theate, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Witsel; Saelemaekers, De Bruyne, Doku; Fernandez-Pardo.Croatia vs Belgium predictionsJune is upon us, which means World Cup 2026 is just around the corner.There are commonalities between Croatia and Belgium going into the tournament. Neither European nation is among the favourites to triumph in North America, but the pair do not intend to merely make up the numbers either.Croatia has a population of less than four million, while Belgium is home to 11.8 million. Both teams have punched above their weight in recent times.That is true of Croatia in particular. Runners-up at World Cup 2018, they then finished third in Qatar four years ago. No one will be underestimating the Vatreni this summer.Belgium were the bronze medallists in 2018, but they crashed and burned in 2022, suffering a group stage exit after winning only one of their three games.The Red Devils are a team in transition. The current squad still contains members of the golden generation, namely Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Axel Witsel and Romelu Lukaku.But there is fresh blood too, provided by the likes of Jeremy Doku, Charles De Ketelaere, Zeno Debast and Amadou Onana.There are plenty of familiar faces in Croatia’s squad. Luka Modric is still around aged 40, while Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric and Mateo Kovacic will also represent their country in the USA, Canada and Mexico.Zlatko Dalic is approaching a decade in charge of the national team, and his continued presence in the dugout gives Croatia a sense of continuity.This is one of two friendlies Croatia and Belgium will play in Europe before crossing the Atlantic early next week.Croatia vs Belgium betting tipsCroatia and Belgium are poised to butt heads as both teams step up their preparations for World Cup 2026.Will there be a winner?Predicting the outcome of warm-up friendlies like this is never easy. In matches like this, managers often prioritise the performance over the result.On top of that, it is possible that Croatia and Belgium will take different approaches to the game. One team could name their strongest possible XI, while the other could pick an experimental line-up.Overall, though, the draw looks like the best value bet. Croatia and Belgium are evenly matched. There is not much to choose between these two teams.Belgium are three places higher than Croatia in the FIFA World Rankings, but the latter have home advantage. This one could easily end up as a stalemate. Back a draw at 9/4 with Spreadex Both teams to hold backIt has been a long club campaign in Europe, so neither Croatia nor Belgium will be operating at full pelt on Tuesday.Croatia manager Dalic and Belgium boss Rudi Garcia will make plenty of in-game changes to ensure as many players as possible get some minutes under their belt.Because of that, there is a danger of this match becoming disjointed. That is one reason why under 2.5 goals is an attractive bet.Another reason is that this wager has paid out in four of the last five meetings between Croatia and Belgium. Tip under 2.5 goals at 10/11 with Sky Bet Doku to shineDoku could be Belgium’s key man at World Cup 2026. One of the best dribblers around, no full-back will relish facing him this summer.Doku will enter the tournament on the back of a fabulous season for Manchester City, for whom he was one of the first names on the team sheet when fit.Doku scored five goals in World Cup qualification, with only De Bruyne finding the net more often in Group J. The winger can still improve his output in the final third, but it is worth a punt on him beating the Croatia goalkeeper on Tuesday. Go for Jeremy Doku to score any time at 3/1 with 247Bet Croatia vs Belgium latest oddsFind the latest Brazil vs Panama betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.More international friendly predictionsWe have plenty more international friendly predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.Important historical facts about Croatia and Belgium for bettingBoth teams have scored in five of Belgium’s last six away games.Croatia have won 10 of their last 11 home matches.Belgium have won the second half in each of their last five fixtures.About the authorGreg LeaGreg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootballCommercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. 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