Group 1 - The match between Montenegro and Croatia in the European World Cup qualifiers will significantly impact the group standings, with Croatia aiming to secure direct qualification and Montenegro fighting for a playoff spot [1] - Croatia has a strong recent performance, showcasing resilience and efficiency in both attack and defense, with top-tier depth and individual player capabilities [2] - Historical encounters favor Croatia, which has a psychological advantage over Montenegro, although Montenegro has shown occasional strong performances [3] Group 2 - Key factors for the match include Croatia's midfield control, which can limit Montenegro's counterattacks, and Montenegro's need for defensive concentration to create scoring opportunities [6] - Both teams have maintained a good level of squad integrity, with Croatia having depth to cover for minor injuries, while Montenegro must monitor the health of key players [6] - The referee's strict officiating style may impact Montenegro, which relies on physical play, but external factors like weather are not expected to be decisive [7] Group 3 - Overall predictions indicate a higher probability of victory for Croatia due to their superior strength, stability, and historical performance, with expectations of winning by one to two goals [8]