Betting Picks - 18/11/24
Tue 26/06/2018 - 05:47 EDT
Iceland vs Croatia Odds
Iceland vs Croatia World Cup Odds
The 2018 FIFA World Cup Group D game between Iceland and Croatia kicks off at the Rostov Arena, Rostov-On-Don at 21:00 local time on Tuesday 26th June.
Iceland vs Croatia Prediction
Draw (+235) Bet NowIceland’s players and manager have said their team has nothing to lose going into their third and final Group D match against Croatia. There is everything to lose, however, because they must beat Croatia and hope Nigeria slip up against Argentina to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
The Icelandic players are not known for their attacking football, they are better-known for the combative style and their never say die attitude. Whether or not this will be enough to edge Croatia out remains to be seen, but if Iceland are eliminated from the 2018 World Cup you can bet it will not be through a lack of effort.
Croatia have looked impressive so far in the tournament, particularly against Argentina who they smashed 3-0. Luka Modric is in superb form and looks unplayable at times. So why have we predicted a draw? Because Croatia could take their foot off the gas having already secured a spot in the next round and the head coach could make a handful of changes to the side to give them a rest.
Iceland vs Croatia Key Bites
- Three of Iceland’s players play their club football for Rostov in Russia
- Bjorn Sigurdsson scored for Rostov on April 15, 2018 and it was the first ever goal at the new stadium
- Luka Modric has two goals for Croatia at this tournament and is playing some of the best football of his career
- A win for Croatia would see them with a perfect nine points, the best total in their history
- Only three teams in history have won all three group games without conceding a goal: Brazil in 1986, Italy in 1990 and Argentina in 1998
Iceland vs Croatia Betting Trends
Iceland
- Iceland can still qualify for the Round of 16 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup but they must beat Croatia and hope Nigeria fail to beat Argentina.
- Iceland finished above Croatia in qualifying for this World Cup.
- Iceland have won one, drawn one and lost four games against Croatia.
- Defender Ragnar Sigurdsson is doubtful for the Croatia match after suffering a head injury against Nigeria.
- Johann Gudmundsson could also miss out if he fails to recover from a muscle injury that forced him to sit out the Nigeria defeat.
- If Iceland qualifies for the knockout stages they will be the first debutant team to do so since Slovakia in 2010.
- The game against Nigeria was the first time Iceland has failed to scored at a major tournament in seven matches.
- Iceland have only managed one win in nine games, arun that includes five defeats.
- Seven of Iceland’s last 11 games have finished with over 2.5 goals. Three have finished with over 3.5 goals.
- Iceland’s striker Bjorn Sigurdsson scored the first ever goal at the new Rostov Arena.
Croatia
- Croatia are already guaranteed a place in the knockout stages of this World Cup.
- The last time Croatia won their opening two Group Stage games was at the 1998 World Cup. They went on to reach the semi-finals.
- If Croatia beat Iceland it will be the first time they have won all three Group Stage games at a World Cup finals.
- Luka Modric has had two shots on target so far, both have resulted in goals for Croatia.
- Croatia have kept three clean sheets in their last four games, which is as many as they had managed in their last previous 12 matches at the World Cup.
- Luka Modric has four Croatian goals in major tournaments, two of them have come from shots outside the box.
- Croatia have never finished top of a group.
- Ante Rebic scored in the 3-0 demolition of Argentina. It was the second goal of his international career and his first since August 2013.
- Croatia have won four of their last five games.
- All but two of Croatia’s last nine games have seen at least two goals scored.
Iceland vs Croatia World Cup Preview
Iceland gained many neutral fans when they navigated their way to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016. They held Portugal and Hungary, and beat Austria and England before falling apart against France.
People watching this game will want Iceland to win, especially if they like an underdog story. Iceland is a relatively tiny country with a small population so the national football team is punching above its weight, and by some degree.
We cannot help thinking that Iceland are going to fall short in their quest to make it through to the Round of 16 here in Russia. For all their hard work and determination, Iceland lack players who are match winners, players who can make something magical happen out of nothing. Gylfi SIgurdsson does fit that mould but he has been missing in the two games Iceland has played thus far.
Croatia, on the other hand, have a team full of creativity. Just look at Luka Modric who has been amazing and is at the forefront of everything positive Croatia do. Modric has two goals already and is so dangerous from long range so Iceland cannot afford to give him time and space on the ball otherwise they will be punished.
Iceland could nick this game, although Croatia may be a test too far for them. Iceland’s only real hope is that Croatia take their eye off the ball and their foot off the gas knowing they are already safely through. Event then, I think Croatia are defensively strong enough to stop Iceland from seriously threatening their goal, which is why the draw at +235 with Bovada looks a good bet to make.
If you think it will be a score draw, look at the +375 on this game being a tie and both teams scoring. If you see it being 0-0, you can get +700 on the game finishing as a draw and both teams not scoring.
Category : Betting Picks
Tag : FIFA World Cup , Soccer
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