Slovenia Vs Croatia
Slovenia Vs Croatia Wednesday 24th March 2021 – 19:45
2022 World Cup Qualifying
Pick: Under 2.5 Goals
Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Boylesports
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 21st March 2021)
Preview: Qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar begins in Lubljana for Slovenia and Croatia, with the former looking to seize upon home advantage in an effort to arrest an alarming head-to-head record.
2022 World Cup Qualifying Betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
Slovenia – Defence key to qualifying aspirations?
After wrapping up a successful Nations League campaign back in November in which they finished two points clear of former European champions Greece, who were a long way clear of Kosovo and Moldova in Group C3, can Slovenia utilise this momentum to good effect in an effort to reach their third World Cup finals? Victory first time out in 2022 World Cup Qualifying would undoubtedly enhance that prospect.
By sharing the spoils with Greece in their final encounter of 2020, Slovenia also extended their unbeaten run to eight matches in a run that incorporated all six Nations League fixtures (W4 D2) as well as the 4-0 rout of San Marino and goalless stalemate with Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, Kosovo were only side to breach this defence in this timeframe – goalkeeper Jan Oblak providing a formidable barrier in front of goal.
The Slovenians are also unbeaten in six here in the capital of Ljubljana, since a 1-0 reverse to Austria in October 2019. The latter a sole loss across twelve prior home internationals (W6 D5). Some noteworthy results, meanwhile, include victories against Israel (3-2) and Poland (2-0) but also creditable draws with North Macedonia and Norway, both of whom featured in the recent play-offs for Euro 2020.
Croatia – Dalic’s men seeking redemption?
As a runner-up from the most recent edition of this tournament, but also as the highest seeded team in this section, many will mark Croatia down as favourites to top the group let alone qualify with a placement of second or better. But after losing three of their final four fixtures of 2020, will we witness any sort of hangover when Zlatko Dalic’s men open their 2022 World Cup qualifying account on favourable territory?
The Croats endured a miserable Nations League campaign last time around, labouring to a third place finish in Group A3 (W1 L5) that included reigning world champions France alongside Portugal and Sweden. They did top their group for Euro 2020 qualification, however, and this campaign sees them facing nations of a similar level. In theory then, we should see a return to winning ways sooner rather than later.
Fortunately, Croatia boast a flawless record away to Wednesday’s opponents. They would prevail on all four visits to Slovenia, and by an aggregate of 9-4. Yet their record recently when asked to travel has been extremely poor. A 2-1 scoreline in St Gallen against Switzerland last October the one and only away victory in their past seven attempts (D3 L3), all of which saw both teams find the net.
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Slovenia Vs Croatia Betting Advice
There are 51 places to separate these teams in the latest FIFA Rankings, with Croatia the highest seeds in this section. It is Slovenia, though, who boast all the positive form coming into this contest. The hosts, who are unbeaten on their own patch in six having lost one of the last twelve said matches, come into Wednesday’s clash on an eight-match unbeaten run that includes seven clean sheets and four wins to nil.
Slovenia Vs Croatia – Key Facts:
- This will be the ninth international staged between these countries. Croatia are yet to lose (W5 D3), prevailing on all four occasions as the visiting side.
- Slovenia have established an eight-match unbeaten run (W5), in which they conceded only one goal, since losing 3-2 in Poland in November 2019.
- Croatia prepare for their first competitive encounter of 2021 on the back of no win in their previous four internationals (L3), since a 2-1 win at home to Sweden in October 2020.
Whereas confidence among the hosts is at its highest in a long time, the same cannot presumably be said for Croatia who ended 2020 winless in four (L3). This qualifying campaign represents a significant downgrade in quality compared to recently, but even so, this looks an awkward opening assignment against resolute, in-form opponents. The Croats have also struggled on their travels since losing in the final of the 2018 World Cup (W2 D4 L6).
Best Betting Odds – Slovenia Vs Croatia
Slovenia – 4/1 (Betfair)
Draw – 12/5 (BetFred)
Croatia – 17/20 (BetVictor)
