Croatia start their Euro 2016 preparations by playing host to Israel at Stadion Gradski Vrt in Osijek, hoping to extend their winning run to four matches.

Vatreni eventually managed to pip Norway to the automatic qualifying berth, but that does not mean they started the New Year in good spirits.

There was plenty of controversy as Ante Cacic was chosen to replace Niko Kovac, with the majority of fans responding by boycotting the national team.

The new manager has had a really good start as Croatia won the final two qualifiers vs Bulgaria and Malta, while also enjoying a 3-1 triumph over Russia in a November friendly.

As a result, they have been made 1.40 (2/5) favourites to see off Israel as well, with Vatreni also set to meet Hungary three days later.

Ante Cacic surprised everyone by leaving regular left-backs Ivan Strinic and Danijel Pranjic out of the squad, meaning that one of Sime Vrsaljko or Domagoj Vida will start on the left.

Dinamo Zagreb winger Marko Pjaca has withdrawn due to injury, whereas Hamburg forward Ivica Olic had decided to retire from international duty.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Srna, Corluka, Lovren, Vrsaljko – Modric, Badelj – Perisic, Rakitic, Brozovic – Mandzukic.

Israel have been on quite a downtrend of late, although they were in contention for a place at the Euro 2016 finals until the last few games.

The Blue and Whites had a perfect start to the qualifying campaign, winning first three fixtures, but then went on to lose to Wales, Belgium and Bosnia, and were never able to recover.

This will be the first game for Israel in 2016 and the first since their qualifying campaign came to an end, so no doubts provisional manager Alon Hazan will be eager to see who he can count on for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Star players Lior Refaelov and Eran Zahavi have left the squad due to injury and illness respectively, thus further damaging team’s chances of getting something from this game.

The good news is that Yossi Benayoun returns to the squad following some impressive performances for Maccabi Haifa.

Probable starting line-up (4-5-1): Harush – Dasa, Tibi, Gershon, Tawatha – Benayoun, Biton, Kayal, Cohen, Ben Haim – Barda.