Croatia v Wales predictions

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
Croatia v Wales predictions World Cup Qualifiers, International	16/10/2012 20:00	full time result	Croatia win	1.28	Bet at VCbet
Betting prediction was written by Ian

CROATIA v WALES PREDICTIONS AND PREVIEW: BETTING STATS

Croatia are currently 11th in the FIFA World Rankings and Wales are 57th. Croatia qualified for Euro 2012 but did not proceed to the knockout stages and did not appear at the last World Cup. Croatia have scored 15 goals in ten matches and conceded 14. Wales did not qualify for the World Cup finals two years ago or Euro 2012. They scored 6 goals and conceded 10 in qualifying matches for that tournament.

TEAM NEWS AND RUN OF PLAY

Niko Kranjcar has played 75 games for Croatia while Luka Modric moved from Tottenham Hotspurs to Real Madrid in the summer. Gareth Bale is a key player for Wales. Barcelona were rumoured to be interested in signing him last year which indicates the quality he brings to the side. Bale scored both goals in Wales’ 2-1 win against Scotland last Friday. Joe Allan from Liverpool has played for his country just 11 times but he already has an important role in midfield.

Croatia are one of the best sides in the world at keeping posession and completing a high percentage of successful passes. Luka Modric is the midfield playmaker and his class and ability is reflected in Real Madrid's determination to sign him from Tottenham. Croatia dominated possesion in last Friday's match away to Macedonia and something similar is expected against Wales. Gareth Bale is an outstanding footballer and Wales' best player. In a recent match for Tottenham Hotspur he ran away from Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United to score a stunning goal. Even away to Macedonia Croatia created 12 chances of which seven were on target. Wales may struggle to enjoy sustained periods of possesion against Croatia who will keep the ball and then play the incisive passes forward to create chances.

CROATIA - WALES PREDICTIONS: 1X2 BETTING PREVIEW

The disparity in world rankings suggests this is a game that Croatia should win. Wales had made a poor start to their World Cup qualifying campaign before securing a win against Scotland with two late goals. However, Croatia are a much better side than a Scotland squad that struggles to score goals and create much from midfield. Gareth Bale and Joe Allan will have some influence for Wales but not enough to avoid defeat.

Back a Croatia win at 1.28 with BetVictor.

CROATIA - WALES PREDICTIONS: ASIAN HANDICAP PREVIEW

Despite ultimately losing this match Wales can score against Croatia. They should take great confidence from their win against Scotland and Bale in particular will be looking to add to the two goals he scored in that match. However, the quality of Luka Modric should open up the Welsh defence and the home side can score twice to win the match by one goal. However, Wales can be backed with any start over one goal. Beginners not familiar with Asian Handicap can find info here:to http://howtobet.net/online-betting-guide/asian-handicap

Back Wales +1.25 at with Pinnacle Sports.

CROATIA - WALES PREDICTIONS: TOTAL GOALS PREVIEW

The relative stats for these two sides suggest overall this match should not produce significantly more or less goals than the average in international football. With Wales expected to score a consolation and Croatia tipped to win the obvious conclusion is to back over 2 goals in a potentially open match.

Ladbrokes offer 1.83 for more than 2 goals.