Croatia v Mexico World Cup 2014, 23rd June Betting Preview
Qualification from Group A is on the line in this one, as these two clash. There is an outside chance that they could both get through if they draw and leaders Brazil lose against Cameroon, which isn’t that likely. So it is pretty much a showdown for second place, and while Mexico can get out alive with a draw, Croatia have to come out and post another win on the board.
Croatia v Mexico Betting Tips
Even before the start of the World Cup, this was expected to play out as being the decider for second place in Group A behind Brazil. Mexico, who could make it through to the knockout stage having scored just the one goal, are in the driving seat after they picked up what was pretty much a bonus point against Brazil thanks to keeper Guillermo Ochoa helping them sure a 0-0 draw against the Selecao. However, the match outrights have Croatia running as the favourites to win the match, because they are the ones with the firepower.
Croatia do have that extra strength up top, especially in the form of Mario Mandzukic. After missing their opener against Brazil, he made his way back into the side in style, as he scored two goals in Croatia’s 4-0 win over Cameroon. That was from the two shots he had on target. Mandzukic is a handful and will pose a massive aerial threat which the Mexicans may struggle to deal with. Mandzukic is 5/4 favourite in the anytime goalscorer market and looks great value, with Ivica Olic running at 9/4.
Croatia do have the upper hand in the head to head against Mexico, having won two of the previous three meetings. It was however, a win for Mexico in their most recent meeting, which was back in 2002. Croatia are yet to win their final group match at a World Cup (D1 L2) but they look to be the better of the two sides here. They should be stronger at the back and through the middle of the park, just being that little more organised. They hit top stride against Cameroon, while Mexico struggled past the Indomitable Lions.
Mexico haven’t won their final group match at a World Cup since back in 1986, and they would be happy with a draw out of this one. The Mexicans don’t have a terrific record against European opponents at the World Cup, having won just seven of thirty matches. They do look wasteful up front, and Oribe Peralta is their biggest looking threat to bank on in the anytime goalscorer market. Mexico have only won one of their last four matches now, which doesn’t stand up against Croatia’s W4 D1 L1 record in their last six. This should be a tight game, so swing under 2.5 goals.
Croatia v Mexico Betting Odds
Croatia 6/4, Mexico 2/1, Draw 12/5
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Croatia v Mexico Predictions
This really should be a tight match with nothing much between the two sides. Croatia do look to have the slight edge in this one, they certainly have a world class striker in Mandzukic. Mexico will find it tough to break them down at the back as well, so Croatia do look value in the match outright. The other way to go would be to expect it to be to be a low scoring affair.
