World Cup
2013-03-26 - Wales vs Croatia
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Football : World Cup European Qualifiers
Tuesday 26th March 2013 – Kickoff time 19:30
Match Preview :
After beating Scotland on Friday, Wales gave their qualifying hope a major boost but must now face Croatia and get a point in this match to keep their qualifying hopes alive.
Chris Coleman side managed a 2-1 win at Hampden Park which surprised many and having lost three of their last five games, they cannot afford to slip up a they are now within seven points of second place a position held by Scotland.
If you take into account that two of their last four matches were against struggling Macedonia, then a win against Croatia would give them huge confidence and belief into the team.
When they last met, Croatia beat them 2-0 at the Stadion Maksimir back in October which was one of four wins the Croats have already managed in the group so far.
And Croatia have only dropped points once against Belgium who were top of the table in September when it ended 1-1.
Wales do not want to know but they have history against their side as they have never beaten Croatia in their past three meetings to date. They have managed two defeats and one draw. Also for the record, they have registered back-to-back wins in qualifying campaigns just three times since 1998. And the last came 18 months ago.
Croatia comes into this match also desperate to get the win. They are tied on points with Belgium and with difficult games against Serbia and Belgium still to come, they know it is vital to get the win here.
Team News :
Wales Team News :
Gareth Bale is expected to be fit to face Croatia after recovering from the stomach virus problems that forced him off at half-time against Scotland in their last match.
Meanwhile, Jack Collison will not figure after being pulled out of the squad due to his inability to play twice in four days as he continues to recover from long-term injury.
Aaron Ramsey is unavailable through suspension. As replacements, Leicester City's Andy King and Crystal Palace's Jonny Williams will start in their place.
Croatia Team News :
Croatia manager Igor Stimac is expected to be without Niko Kranjcar after the former Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth midfielder sustained a knee injury. He is likely to be replaced with Josip Radosevic or Inter Milan's Mateo Kovacic.
Meanwhile, Stimac also has to decide whether to play veterans Josip Simunic, 35, and Ivica Olic, 33, for a second successive match. Domagoj Vida and Everton's Nikica Jelavic are both on standby if they do not start.
And Croatia can also call on the services of Real Madrid's Luka Modric, who caused problems in the win over the Welsh earlier in the campaign.
Predictions :
Go for Croatia to get the win here.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Wales 1-2 Croatia
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Croatia to win here.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
[Main Bet]
Go for Croatia and give the -3/4 ball handicap away
Go for Croatia and give the -3/4 ball handicap away
