Croatia Vs Sweden
Croatia Vs Sweden Sunday 11 October 2020 – 17:00 (GMT)
UEFA Nations League
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: Evens
Bookmaker: Betfair
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 8 October 2020)
Preview: It has been a slow start to this season’s UEFA Nations League from these teams, with Croatia and Sweden – who meet in Zagreb, at Stadion Maksimir, on Sunday – still searching for their first points in Group A3.
UEFA Nations League Betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
Croatia Preview – Recovery efforts can begin in Zagreb?
Zlatko Dalic, the Croatia head coach, is well aware that his team are firmly on the back foot in this group after losing both group matches when this competition got underway in September. Not only did they lose both fixtures but they were convincingly beaten as well, conceding four in defeat to first France, whom they lost 4-2 to in Paris, before being run ragged in Porto by Portugal in a 4-1 scoreline.
The one good thing to take away from last month’s games was that they won’t have to face the two toughest teams in the section on the road again. It also means they can look forward to successive home matches during this international break, which, in turn, presents an excellent opportunity to make up ground in a group they occupy last place in, on zero points and with a goal difference that reads -5.
The Croats will kick-off Sunday with a win behind them, however, after Wednesday’s come-from-behind victory against Switzerland in a friendly in St. Gallen. It marked the fifth consecutive match (W3 L2) in which Croatia had conceded the opening goal of the contest but, unlike in their previous two encounters, they fought back to not only salvage a result but secure a morale boosting win.
Sweden Preview – Playing away could turn into a blessing?
The Swedes were unable to make any inroads during last month’s Nations League games, losing at home to both France (0-1) and Portugal (0-2). All three of the goals they conceded came via either a multiple Balloon d’Or winner, in the shape of Cristiano Ronaldo, or someone, Kylian Mbappe, widely predicted to collect the biggest individual accolade in the sport at some stage in the near future.
So there is no real reason to be too downhearted. Head coach Janne Andersson was certainly encouraged by what he saw, describing the pair of performances from his team as ‘good’ despite overseeing a winless start to life in a formidable group containing the most recent winners of the European Championship and World Cup. Moreover, there is every chance of them bouncing right back in Zagreb.
This is because Sweden’s recent record when travelling is actually very good. During the group phase of qualification for Euro 2020, the Swedes recorded three wins and only one defeat across their five away outings, losing only to the best side in the section which was clearly Spain. Unfortunately, though, goals do tend to be elusive, with six of their last eight matches producing no more than two goals.
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Croatia Vs Sweden Betting Advice
Sunday will pit two teams who fared poorly during the opening round of group games but who would secure timely wins earlier in the week, albeit both did so in the less pressurized environment that is friendlies. It is also a clash of vastly contrasting styles and approaches. For while Croatia like to get on the ball and play on the front foot, Sweden are typically a lot more cautious and robust.
Croatia Vs Sweden – Key Facts
- Three or more goals were scored in each of the last five matches involving Croatia, who have conceded more goals (8) so far in this competition than any other team.
- In their previous five competitive away matches, Sweden lost only once – to Spain during Euro 2020 Qualifying – whilst winning on three occasions (W3 D1 L1).
- Three of the past four meetings between the two countries resulted in a victory for Croatia. However, Sweden claimed the spoils in the most recent of those (1-3 Feb 2012).
Over 2.5 Goals has landed in six of the last seven matches involving Croatia, but only two of the past eight to feature Sweden. The latter have now scored in seven of their last seven games though, including two in Russia on Thursday, so are capable of contributing in Zagreb against a Croatian side which has seen each of their previous six matches produce at least one goal for both teams.
Best Betting Odds – Croatia Vs Sweden
Croatia – 10/11 (BetFred)
Draw – 13/5 (Unibet)
Sweden – 18/5 (Bet365)
