Cameroon v Croatia World Cup 2014, 18th June Betting Preview
The battle to keep in the hunt for a qualification spot in Group A is what this one comes down to. Both lost their opening fixtures and so a second defeat could send someone out of the tournament early. Big stakes on the line and Croatia are odds-on favourites to be on the ones to bag the three points.
Cameroon v Croatia Betting Tips
This will be the first matchup between the two nations, so no history to go on. It will also be the first time that Croatia will have faced an African nation at the World Cup. Croatia put on a decent show against Brazil in the opening World Cup match of 2014, but went down 3-1 in the end. They will have their star striker Mario Mandzukic available for this one, and he could bring a massive aerial threat. No-one in Europe’s top league during last season scored more headed goals than the Bayern Munich man did. Mandzukic is up as even money favourite in the anytime goalscorer market for this one.
The Europeans really need to arrest a bit of a World Cup slump as they have not won any of their last five World Cup matches (L3 D2) and their last win at the World Cup finals was back in 2002 against Italy. But before the 2014 World Cup kick off, they were second favourite behind Brazil to qualify, and this is where they need to step things up and impress. They have only lost one of their last six played, that being the game against Brazil, so aren’t in bad shape. They aren’t a high scoring side though and really need to get some quality balls into Mandzukic.
This will probably go under 2.5 goals because Croatia aren’t bad at the back and Cameroon don’t look a big threat going forward. The Indomitable Lions couldn’t break open a shaky Mexico defence in their opener, managing to get just one shot on target. They have only won one of their 13 World Cup matches against European sides, drawing five and losing seven. They are on a worse run that Croatia in World Cup games, as they have won just one of their last 14, which was against Saudi Arabia back in 2002. They have lost nine of those 14. They are also on a five match losing streak at the World Cup, the longest of any African nation ever. To add more woe, they have scored just seven in their last 12 World Cup matches and never more than once in a match during that sequence.
Cameroon v Croatia Betting Odds
Croatia 4/6, Draw 3/1, Cameroon 9/2
Online betting site Betfred are running double and treble payouts on the first goalscorer market for World Cup matches. back a successful first goalscorer selection in a match, and if they go on to score a second or a third in the game, then you will be paid out double or treble odds respectively on your selection. Great value and new customers can get up to a free £25 bet as a welcome bonus from the bookie.
Cameroon v Croatia Predictions
The Africans don’t look anywhere near the mark, and one shot on target against Mexico is terrible. Croatia should have more control in the game, and are better through the middle of the park. Because of what is at stake, it may be a bit cagey, but the value is all in the Europeans to get the win on the board.
