Euro 2016 Qualifier preview and odds: Croatia vs. Bulgaria

Published on: 08/10/2015

Euro 2016 Qualifier preview and odds: Croatia vs. Bulgaria

October 10, 2015 19:45pm Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb

Euro 2016 Group H

Two teams that can still qualify for Euro 2016 will battle it out on Saturday night as Croatia welcome Bulgaria to the Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb.

Croatia looking to maintain strong qualifying record

Croatia are the best-placed of the two sides to progress to the UEFA European Championships in France next summer with automatic qualification still within their grasp.

With just two points separating them from third-ranked Norway and Italy a further two points ahead, Croatia still have all to play for in Group H. The team has only failed to reach the Euro finals once since they achieved independent status.

The Croatians will be under the guidance of new boss Ante Čačić for this game following the dismissal of Niko Kovač. The former Coach was relieved of his duties after the 2-0 defeat to Norway in the last block of matches.

Bulgarias hopes fading

Bulgaria still have a slim chance of making the play-offs but they must win both of their games and hope that Croatia those theirs to sneak into third place.

In the first Group H meeting between the sides, the Croatians came out on top thanks to an own goal from Nikolay Bodurov. That game was the seventh meeting between the sides of which Croatia have won four and Bulgaria have won one, with two games ending as draws.

Team news

The Croatians will be without the suspended Ivica Olić but will welcome back Mateo Kovačić who has just served a one-match ban. The Bulgarians are also depleted due to suspension with Svetoslav Dyakov, Yordan Minev and Ilian Mitsanski all missing for this game.

Recent form (Euro Qualifying)

Croatia: LDDWD

Bulgaria: LLWDD

Betting odds and tips

Croatia are searching for their first win in three after draws to Azerbaijan and Italy preceded the loss to Norway. They have never lost to Bulgaria on home soil. Bulgaria may still have a mathematical chance of qualifying but they do not have the form to suggest they are capable of getting the required results. With just one win in their last seven competitive matches, two wins on the bounce seems like a tall order for Ivaylo Petev`s men. On Saturday they will be facing the group`s top scoring team.

Croatia can be backed to seal a crucial win at 1/3 with Coral. They can also be backed at a decent 10/11 to win to nil with Skybet.

Published on: 08/10/2015

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (08/10/2015 15:51:35) but are subject to change.