Iceland vs Croatia
This World Cup just keeps on giving. If you’ve recovered from Toni Kroos’ dramatic winner for Germany against Sweden, then it’s time to buckle up and get back on the ride!
We’re already 11 days in and we’ve seen it all—brilliant goals, late drama, big shocks, VAR mysteries, red cards and plenty of penalties!
It looks like being the best World Cup in years; and on Tuesday at the 45,000-capacity Rostov Arena, it’s the turn of Iceland vs Croatia in a game Iceland must win against the already qualified Vatreni.
Get ready to hear the thunder-clapping Viking war chant of the Iceland fans as they take on their role as the twelfth man and try to roar their heroes on to victory. That unlikely outcome would give Heimir Hallgrimsson’s team a chance of qualification and what a story that would be!
But it’s a mighty task. Our SBOBET predictions team is taking a closer look at Croatia, which began the tournament at around 35.00 to win the World Cup but are looking as impressive as anyone and are now down to 15.00.
Talking Points
In Luka Modric, Croatia have undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in world football. He has the lot: poise on the ball, quick feet, 360-degree vision and a beautiful shot on him…as Argentina discovered in their loss.
There are also goals throughout the midfield. Ivan Perisic has 18 for Croatia, Ivan Rakitic has 15, and striker Mario Mandzukic has 30 international goals and is on pace to beat the great Davor Suker’s record for Croatia.
Ante Rebic scored the first in Croatia’s second-half destruction of Argentina. While the Eintracht winger does provide some pace down the flanks, he also has his fair share of menace and could well have taken an early bath for an ugly stamp on Argentina’s Eduardo Salvio before he scored.
While Zlatko Dalic will want to win this game and ensure his side stays top of Group D with a 100 per cent record, he will be keen to avoid injuries and suspensions as the knockout stages approach.
In contrast, Hallgrimsson’s Iceland are in the last chance saloon here in Russia.
Group D was widely seen to be the toughest section to get out of and Iceland discovered just how hard it is when Ahmed Musa put them to the sword as Nigeria won 2-0 in their meeting last Friday.
Goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson has been outstanding in the tournament so far, particularly against Argentina. However, Iceland’s hopes rest on the Everton playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson, and he needs to put his penalty miss against Nigeria behind him. He’s described it as the worst moment of his career, but he can’t afford to dwell on it any longer or else Iceland’s hopes are gone.
Iceland’s success is based around guts, teamwork and a “never say die” attitude. Come on! This is the team that drew with Argentina and dumped England out of Euro 2016, and they need to remember that and get their fans chanting.
It all adds up to another great game to look forward to, and we’ll be there to give you all the Iceland vs Croatia updates.
History
These two have met six times, with Croatia winning four including a World Cup 2014 playoff win. Nonetheless, Iceland have taken a draw and actually won the last meeting, a 1-0 victory in the qualifying campaign for this World Cup. So they know they can do it.
In five previous appearances, Croatia’s best effort in a World Cup was a semi-final appearance in 1998 in France—following a quarter-final appearance at Euro 96 in England. Dalic believes this current crop of gifted players can match, or even better that golden generation.
This is Iceland’s first appearance at the World Cup finals and that in itself is some achievement for the smallest country ever to qualify, with a population of a little over 300,000. But this small nation punches above its weight, delighting fans at Euro 2016.
They are currently ranked no.22 in the world, just two behind Croatia, which makes for interesting reading.
What are the odds?
So let’s take a look at where we can find the best value in the Iceland-Croatia odds.
We expect a tight game with all three results on the cards: will Croatia take their foot gently off the pedal and let Iceland in? Well, they are still favourites to win, but not by much at odds of 2.22, while Iceland are available at 3.25 and the Draw at 3.20.
Could we see another great battle and a win for the Icemen? The handicap betting offer says they just need that little bit of an edge, or a moment of luck. With a +0.25 goal start, Iceland are at 2.06 to win while Croatia are at 1.87 with that handicap.
Croatia to score the first goal is at 1.73, and I think that would finish Iceland off. But if Sigurdsson can wipe away the memory of his penalty miss and inspire his team to strike first, that would make things very interesting—one that would pay odds of 2.57.
These two super teams have very different priorities going into this match;
Croatia are at 3.50 to reach the semi-final, whereas Iceland just want to win the next game.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE WORLD CUP 2018 STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
