12 Jun 2019
With Argentina the Genting Bet favourites to win World Cup Group D, Saturday evening’s Croatia v Nigeria clash at the Kaliningrad Stadium could be crucial to determine who joins Lionel Messi’s nation in the Round of 16.
Croatia are the odds-on favourites to beat Nigeria, having pipped Ukraine for second place in their qualifying group, finishing three points ahead and two behind Iceland.
With Iceland the only automatic qualifier, Croatia were forced into a two-legged playoff with Greece which they won 4-1 on aggregate.
Two wins and two defeats in their friendlies since qualification is not the best preparation, given they only managed one clean sheet and they only managed three goals. However, the reverses came against World Cup participants Brazil and Peru.
Croatia have failed to advance from the group stage at the World Cup since 1998, but this team is a talented one, boasting the likes of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic and they are second favourites to advance from Group D.
Nigeria were the first African nation to book their World Cup spot, when beating Zambia 1-0 in October. With Algeria and Cameroon in their qualifying group, it is testament to the ability of the Super Eagles that they advanced with a 13-point margin.
Since winning 2-1 against Poland in Wroclaw, Nigeria have gone on a four-match winless run, which included a 2-1 reverse to England at Wembley.
Chelsea’s Victor Moses has been a threat in a more advanced role for his country and has scored 11 times in 34 matches, and the Nigerian side are not particularly experienced outside of captain Jon Obi Mikel, who has earned 85 caps.
Nigeria’s issue is scoring goals and they have managed just five in their last eight games. Furthermore, they have managed just one win in their last 12 games at the World Cup finals.
Like Moses, Modric has enjoyed playing further forward for his country than at his club. The Real Madrid man is expected to supplement the Croatia attack alongside Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic, with in-form Andrej Kramaric likely to be on the bench.
Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi is expected to occupy a key role in midfield for Nigeria with the lively former Watford front-man Odion Ighalo set to plough a lone furrow up front.
Verdict:
Croatia 3-1 Nigeria - the Correct Score Odds are 14/1.
Although qualifying with ease, Nigeria have found life more difficult when coming up against some decent teams. They do have some Premier League quality but Denmark has looked a team on the rise under manager Zlato Dalic and inexperience could ultimately cost Nigeria.
Check out all the latest odds for Croatia v Nigeria
