Wales v Croatia Tips & Betting Preview
Dropped points against Croatia likely to spell disaster for Welsh.
With their backs firmly placed against the wall, Wales will know anything barring a victory at home to World Cup finalists Croatia will give them a mountain to climb to qualify for Euro 2020.
Ryan Giggs’ men are fourth in Group E, with Croatia, Slovakia and Hungary all sitting above them in the bid to finish in the top two. Thursday’s draw in Slovakia keeps qualification hopes alive, but they’re now running out of opportunities to truly assert themselves in this group; with Hungary expected to beat Azerbaijan at home on Sunday, this Croatia clash is monumental.
But what of the visitors? After England’s slapped them into Nations League relegation last year, Zlatko Dalić’s side knew the pressure was on to qualify from a banana skin-ridden group, but on the whole they’ve impressed – earning 13 points from their six matches.
So, what will happen on Sunday? Will Wales claim a much-needed victory? Will Croatia’s quality tell? Now that we’re at the business end of qualifying, we have a pretty good idea of what to expect from these two sides, and I believe backing Croatia to kill Ryan Giggs’ hopes with a victory is the best bet (priced at 6/4).
Looking at the numbers, you’d think Wales’ lack of goals is an unsustainable trait. Five goals in as many matches—compared to Croatia’s 13—is unimpressive, while both sides have conceded five apiece.
It must be said Croatia are streaky on the road: following-up a 4-0 victory in Slovakia with a draw against Azerbaijan, but with four consecutive victories against Wales, and just one defeat in their last 12 European Championships fixtures, you get a sense it’ll take a massive Welsh effort to prevent a defeat, and a lack of firepower will ultimately their undoing.
Croatia’s attacking prowess will see them home in Cardiff, like it did in Osijek when they won 2-1.
One man who has really impressed me of late is Bruno Petkovic. The Dimano Zagreb striker is now Croatia’s main man up top, and has already scored four goals in his six appearances for his country.
Furthermore, he’s scored three times in Croatia’s last three qualifiers, and his physical approach will be a nightmare for Wales’ defenders to handle.
He’s 11/4 to score at any time, which looks a decent bet considering the form he’s shown in recent months.
https://www.oddschecker.com/tips/football/20191011-wales-v-croatia-tips-betting-preview
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