Argentina V Croatia Predictions & Betting Odds

Argentina v Croatia Betting Preview – World Cup 2018 21st June – 7.00 p.m
(Full time: 0:3 – goals: Rebic 53′, Modric 80′, Raketic 90+1′)

Argentina are now going to be severely tested. They came up short in their opener against Iceland as they had to settle for a draw and what we saw from the Albiceleste in qualification, was evident in that game. They just lack a serious threat going forward and there are clear vulnerabilities in their defence. Croatia have the chance to go out and rough them up a bit and three points for the Europeans would put them through to the next round of the competition. That’s a huge incentive and our Argentina v Croatia predictions can see value in backing the Europeans.

Table of Contents

Argentina News and Form

Argentina are going to feel the pressure of needing to win this fixture. They could only manage that 1-1 draw against Iceland in their opener and against such a well organised defence, Argentina looked to have run out of ideas quickly in how to break them down. They were very static and had no injection of pace unless it was Lionel Messi picking the ball up deep. Messi missed a chance to open his account for the tournament from the penalty spot. Now they have to try and lift themselves for another tough challenge as Croatia will have no problems challenging them. This was always going to be a tight group and now Argentina have a little bit of work to do. Under 2.5 goals for the game is at 13/20 odds with bet365* (Betting Odds were taken from June 18th, 2018 at 6:54 p.m.) as the Albiceleste don’t look like running riot in front of goal and this should be a really closely fought contest.

Lionel Messi didn’t really get much space in which to work against Iceland but the Barcelona man is the 10/3 first goalscorer favourite* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on June 18th, 2018 at 6:54 p.m.) for this one. It was Sergio Aguero who got their opener, netting his first ever World Cup goal for his country, but he was barely in the game besides that. Argentina are W2 D2 L1 in their last five games so they aren’t quite on top of their game and one of those two wins happened against Haiti. The two wins in that run of games were both with a clean sheet though, so if they concede they have been prone to not winning games. Croatia will pose a threat and both teams to score in this one is at 19/20 odds* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on June 18th, 2018 at 6:54 p.m.). They just don’t quite look organised, or if they know just what their best side or their best set up is.

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Croatia News and Form

Croatia opened their World Cup account with a 2-0 victory over Nigeria and that was a good start in a tricky fixture. They got their three points and that is three victories that they have collected in their last four games. Croatia will pose a different challenge to Argentina because they will get the ball in the middle of the park whereas Iceland just sat back. That is an area where Croatia will be able to compete strongly. Croatia have scoring threats, notably through Mario Mandzukic who is an 11/4 anytime goalscorer option with Andrej Kramaric at 10/3 odds with bet365* (Betting Odds were taken from June 18th, 2018 at 6:54 p.m.). Given that Croatia have a bit of a cushion of those three points, a draw in this one wouldn’t be a bad result for them as it would leave them in a good position and a couple of points clear of Argentina. A win for them though will leave them primed to win the group. A Croatia/Draw Double Chance is great value at 4/5 odds* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on June 18th, 2018 at 6:54 p.m.).

Argentina v Croatia Head to Head

This will be the fourth meeting between Argentina and Croatia and the South Americans hold a W2 L1 lead. Their first ever clash was a World Cup fixture when they met in 1998, which is their only previous competitive meeting. Argentina collected a 1-0 win on that occasion. The other two meetings were both settled by a one-goal margin as well.

Argentina v Croatia Betting Odds*

Argentina evens
Draw 12/5
Croatia 10/3
* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on June 18th, 2018 at 6:54 p.m.)