Croatia Vs Scotland
Croatia Vs Scotland Tuesday 22 June, 2021 – 20:00
UEFA Euro 2020, Group D
Pick: Scotland or Draw
Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: BetFred
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 20th June 2021)
Preview: It is essentially winner takes all at Hampden Park, where Scotland have only lost once in their last nine fixtures and know a win over Croatia – who have never beaten the Scots in five previous attempts – would guarantee at least a third-place finish in Group D.
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Table of Contents
Croatia – Beaten World Cup finalists on the brink?
Fleet-footed winger Ivan Perisic has established something of a reputation for delivering on the big occasion for his country. In scoring his team’s only goal of these finals – a fizzing effort after some customary neat footwork to open up space for the shot from a tight angle – in their 1-1 draw with Czech Republic last time, the 32-year-old became the first Croatian to have scored in four separate major tournaments.
His team are still searching for their first win of Euro 2020, however, and are fast running out of time. Zlatko Dalic saw his players beaten 1-0 at Wembley by England in their opening game. Therefore failure to beat Scotland, something they have never actually managed in five attempts (D3 L2), would see a side which reached the final at the 2018 World Cup bow out at the earliest possible opportunity.
Croatia have been solid defensively, with one of the two goals conceded being a dubious penalty, but surprisingly toothless in attack. The average goalkeeper would expect to save Perisic’s goal. All very worrying ahead of this must-win encounter. Especially as winning isn’t something they have specialised in for a long time now, winning only two of their last eleven international matches and none of the last four (D2 L2).
Scotland – First goal of these finals proving elusive?
Jeers greeted the full-time whistle at the conclusion of an absorbing, if ultimately scoreless, contest between the Old Enemies, England and Scotland. As the away side, that chorus of boos was a backhanded compliment to the fine work The Tartan Army had done in successfully neutralising a side who scored more goals per game during qualififying than any of the teams at the tournament.
Scotland were more than just well organised though. A lot more. The xG figures might suggest a fortuitous point but it was anything but as Steve Clarke’s side showed significant attacking intent, in particular during the closing stages, as they pressed for the goal which would have strengthened their case for last-sixteen qualification. That goal, like in their opening loss to Czech Republic, never came.
Turkey, bottom of Group A, are the only other team yet to score at these finals. That is despite Scotland getting off 30 shots, worth a combined 2.6xG. Meanwhile, despite celebrating their ‘memorable’ stalemate with England long into the night, Scotland know they simply must beat Croatia at Hampden Park – where the Scots have lost only once in their last nine matches (W5 D3) – to have any chance of progressing.
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Croatia Vs Scotland Betting Advice
A return of one point from two games is probably a fair reflection on how Croatia have performed at Euro 2020. Conversely, Scotland should arguably boast more than their solitary point – beating the Czech Republic on xG only to lose for the first time at Hampden Park in nine matches, and more than holding their own against an England side many fancied to enjoy a deep run in the tournament.
Croatia Vs Scotland – Key Facts:
- All five previous meetings between Croatia and Scotland produced no more than two goals, with Croatia failing to win any (D3 L2).
- After failing to beat England and Czech Republic at this tournament, Croatia have stretched their winless run to four matches (D2 L2) having won only twice in eleven.
- It is one loss in the last seven (W2 D4) for Scotland, following up a harsh 2-0 loss to Czech Republic on Matchday 1 by holding England to a 0-0 draw at Wembley.
The sight of Croatia, tournament regulars, at odds-against to beat Scotland, competing in their first finals since 1998, says everything about the current plight of the 2018 World Cup finalists. Scotland have married doggedness with enterprise, with only the goals so far missing. Full-back and captain Andy Robertson has done his best to keep the supply lines open, creating seven chances, and is a big price to assist a goal.
Best Betting Odds – Croatia Vs Scotland
Croatia – 13/10 (PaddyPower)
Draw – 13/5 (Betway)
Scotland – 2/1 (BetVictor)
