Slovakia vs Croatia
2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia head to the Tehelne Pole Stadium in Bratislava on Saturday on the road to World Cup 2022, but in Slovakia they will meet a tricky opponent.
Croatia sit at the top of qualifying Group H on seven points from four games, with their hosts, along with Russia, a single point behind.
So this fixture is a battle for top spot and, with home advantage for the Slovaks, it’s going to be a fascinating clash between two well-matched teams.
Talking Points
Dubravka injury blow for Slovakia
Head coach Stefan Tarkovic has a problem with his last line of defence due to the injury of Newcastle United keeper Martin Dubravka.
The 32-year-old is the Sokoli’s first choice and the news that back-up Dusan Kuciak has also picked up an injury leaves Tarkovic short.
His only other capped keeper is Fulham’s Marek Rodak who has seven international appearances and he’s likely to get the nod, with Sparta Prague’s Dominik Holec also in the running.
The hosts had a mixed campaign at Euro 2020, starting with a brilliant 2-1 victory over Poland before losing narrowly to Sweden and then taking a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Spain.
They are unbeaten in the World Cup qualifiers but they have been frustrated by draws with Malta, Cyprus, and most recently Slovenia while registering an impressive 2-1 win over Russia.
The 34-year-old Marek Hamsik is still influential as a creative midfielder though he sits a little deeper now. But alongside Koln’s Ondrej Duda, he still has the quick feet and passing range to control the middle of the park.
At the back, Inter’s 26-year-old defender Milan Skriniar is a class act and he also a threat going forward at set pieces, top scoring for Slovakia with two goals in this competition.
He was a key player in Inter’s Scudetto win and the Nerazzurri have started well again after picking up a comfortable win at Hellas Verona, and Skriniar is one of the Sokoli’s genuine world class players.
But the hosts are a little light out front, with a lot resting on the shoulders of 21-year-old Fortuna Dussesldorf striker Robert Bozenik who has five goals from 17 appearances.
Croatia need positive results
Since reaching the final of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Croatia have drifted slightly in the FIFA World Rankings to 18th position, though they are still 20 places above opponents Slovakia.
The Croats started this World Cup campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Slovenia but recovered to beat both Cyprus and Malta. A 0-0 draw with Russia on Wednesday was enough for them to hang on to top spot and head coach Zlatco Dalic will be plotting away to improve on that result against the Slovaks.
Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic and Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic are likely to start in midfield. The Blues have been big spenders in the Premier League again and Kovacic will have to fight for his place in Chelsea’s starting lineup, but he will be ready for a good battle with the Slovakia midfield.
Brozovic’s Inter teammate Ivan Perisic and Hoffenheim striker Andrej Kramaric will take up the goalscoring responsibility.
But with talisman Luka Modric out with a groin strain and the retired striker Mario Mandzukic, Croatia don’t have the cutting edge of yesteryear.
History
While Croatia were one step away from being World Champions just three years ago, Slovakia have made one appearance at the World Cup final in 2010 when a team led by the inspirational Hamsik made the Round of 16.
The Slovaks, meanwhile, reached a similar stage at their appearance in the European Championships in 2016.
The head-to-heads make good reading for Dalic’s men. Croatia have won all but one of the five meetings with the other ending in a draw. The Croats won both games against Slovakia in the Euro 2020 qualifiers, 3-0 and 4-1.
There is little to choose between the two team’s recent form based on their World Cup 2022 results.
Both have won one from the last six, though Slovakia have drawn three and lost two while Croatia have drawn two and lost three. Croatia haven’t won away in six games.
Betting Tip
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Slovakia vs Croatia | Slovakia Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 1.86 |
| September 5, 02:45 (GMT+8) |
The World Cup 2022 betting odds point to a tight encounter and while the hosts are depleted at either end of the pitch between the sticks and in attack, in midfield they are a match for Croatia and that is where this game will be won or lost.
Croatia are available at a SBOTOP price of 2.00 with a -0.50 goal handicap, but if the hosts can control the pace and direction of play they can keep their more illustrious opponents quiet and the home crowd can roar them on to a positive result.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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