Croatia vs Greece
The stakes are high; the task for football betting fans is stark.
Only one of these proud countries can compete at next summer’s World Cup Finals and two football games, starting in Zagreb, will determine who makes it.
The betting odds are pretty clear too.
Asian Handicap puts the Croatians as clear favourites. Zlatko Dalic’s side are priced at -1.50 @ 2.26 with Greece +1.00 @ 2.47 and 1X2 @ 9.50.
No wonder when the Croats have triumphed in 12 out of their last 15 home matches and managed a clean sheet in all bar one of those victories.
They have also qualified for all bar one World Cup since 1998 when they delighted fans the world over in securing a third-place finish in France.
With top talents such as Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic in their ranks, it’s clear why many tip Croatia as firm favourites.
Especially when their defence comes up against a Greece team hardly renowned for its attacking intent.
Defensive strength will certainly be key for Michael Skibbe’s men, already weakened with main linchpin Kostas Manolas suspended for the first leg.
They finished nine points behind Belgium in their group and were not close to automatic qualification, unlike Croatia. They are also missing Tasos Donis and Petros Mantalos through injury, while stalwart Sokratis Papastathopoulos is a fitness doubt.
So all the wise money points to Croatia.
Yet you write Greece off at your peril.
We all did that 13 years ago and you must remember Euro 2004!
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.