Mbappe is really important to this France side, especially when considering the issues that Didier Deschamps’ men have had in the final third this season. Mbappe had four shots on target in the first leg, two in each half, of the six France managed in total. Mbappe has had 62 shots on target across his 26 appearances in La Liga this season (2.48 per 90) which is a record that has produced 20 goals for the Galactico domestically. Overall, he’s scored 31 goals across his 44 appearances in all appearances for Los Blancos this campaign, in a stunning debut season wearing the white of Real Madrid. Mbappe’s record at international level is special, he’s scored 48 goals across his 87 caps for France which is quite an achievement at this level of football and suggests that he will get chances to add to that here. Mbappe is on penalties for France and will benefit from a slightly more forward-thinking approach from France seeing as they are 2-0 down in this tie.

Gvardiol had a lot of defensive work to manage in the first leg, the Manchester City man contested 12 duels, winning seven of them - more than any other player on the pitch - resulting in the full back committing two fouls. He’ll be just as regularly tested here with the wide variety of talent France have to offer in the final third. Gvardiol is averaging 0.86 fouls committed per 90 across his seven appearances in the Nations League this season. We’re looking for something that will suggest a rise in this average and his first leg performance certainly promises this. As well as committing the two fouls, Gvardiol made three tackles which was again more than any other player on the pitch. This highlights how much traffic was coming down Gvardiol’s side of the pitch. He’s likely to be up against Michael Olise who is averaging 1.68 fouls won per 90 in the Nations League this season, as well as 2.59 fouls won per 90 in the Bundesliga this campaign. Olise could rotate with players like Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele on the right hand side producing a constant headache for Gvardiol.

Croatia were impressive in their 2-0 victory over France in the first leg and can use their organisation to their advantage here, against a France side that have been a bit blunt on the international stage of late despite the attacking quality at their disposal. France drew six saves from Dominik Livakovic in the first leg so Zlatko Dalic’s side will need another big performance from their goalkeeper, something he’s provided more often than not when playing for his national side. France do look a bit too cautious in the final third, they have the scoring power to fire their way past the majority of sides but Croatia will look to sit in a mid block here, as they did in the first leg, knowing that they will get chances on the break. This selection has landed in all seven of Croatia’s Nations League games so far and gives them scope to lose the game by one goal. Croatia have repeatedly shown that they can go toe-to-toe with the most elite sides in Europe and they should remain competitive here with their two-goal cushion, making the gameplan a bit clearer for Zlatko Dalic.

Croatia are averaging 5.7 shots on target per game in the Nations League this campaign, only Germany and Spain can boast a better record in this metric. This is quite impressive when considering the calibre of some of the attacking lines in this competition, and the lack of options Croatia have in forward areas. Croatia had four shots on target in the first leg meeting and will get opportunities here to extend that lead given that France will have to be more on the front foot to find a way to get back into the tie. This should leave plenty of space for Croatia to pour forward quickly in moments of transition and getting shots away. Croatia cut through Didier Deschamps’ side far too easily in the first leg and will feel optimistic of doing the same again here given their impressive shot on target record in the Nations League this season, more than the likes of Portugal, Netherlands and their opponents here.