Croatia v Ukraine Tips

England’s two nearest rivals in Group Six, Croatia and Ukraine face off in a match which looks like it could be decisive not in terms of automatic qualification, but definitely in terms of a play-off place.

 

England have a 100% record in Group Nine, and, at the half-way point of the qualification process, look like they could well run away with the group. However, a second place finish guarantees a play-off position, and both Croatia and Ukraine will feel that is well within their grasps.

 

The two sides met in Kiev in October, and played out a nil-nil draw. That result is available at 9/1 with Bet365, and those who fancy any kind of draw can get odds of 12/5 with the same firm.

 

Croatia (4/5, BetFred) are traditionally very strong at home, and will be looking to take the game to their opponents. A win would move them to within a point of England, albeit with the English having a game in hand, and more importantly, would take them six points clear of Ukraine (4/1, Bet365) in the race for the play-off spot.

 

England won four-one in Croatia, but that match was a bit of an anomaly, as in their other four matches, the Croats haven’t conceded a single goal. They are 2/1 (SkyBet) to win to nil on Saturday, and there will be a lot of far worse bets at shorter odds around on Saturday morning.

 

With Ukraine also boasting a good defensive record, having only conceded three goals in two games, the game could well be a low-scoring one, probably settled by a single goal. Bet365 offer 6/1 on a one-nil win for Croatia, and SportingBet go 8/1 that the match finishes two-one to the Croats. However, with talismanic striker Andrei Shevchenko struggling for form, the one-nil option may be the better of the two, despite the shorter odds.

 

Recommendation

 

To win to nil – Croatia (2/1, SkyBet)

 

 

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Tags: Andrei Shevchenko,  Croatia,  Ukraine