Argentina vs Croatia - World Cup 2018 Preview and Odds

Published on: 21/06/2018

Argentina vs Croatia - World Cup 2018 Preview and Odds

June 21, 2018 19:00pm - Stadion Nizhny Novgorod

World Cup Russia 2018 - Group D

After slipping up against Iceland, Argentina will look to bounce back when they take on group leaders Croatia on Thursday night.

Mess and Co. failed to take their chances in their opening game, the Barcelona man missing a penalty that would have taken all three points against a strong Iceland team.

Many expected the South American to lay down a marker with a comfortable win but it was not to be. Despite taking the lead early in the game thanks to Sergio Aguero`s first World Cup goal, they were pegged back within five minutes and spent the rest of the game trying to run through the Icelandic wall while avoiding the counter-attack.

Having stamped their mark on the international scene with some fine performances including a win over England in their first ever tournament two years ago, Iceland were keen to show that was not just a fluke. They followed it up with a dominant qualifying campaign in which they topped a groups containing Croatia. The draw against Argentina reinforced their status as an elite European team.

Meanwhile, Croatia cruised to a 2-0 win over Nigeria in their opening game and will look to trouble Argentina here. With a draw probably enough to go through, all the pressure will be on their South American opponents to bring the game to them and that could play into their hands.

However, they are unlikely to settle for a point themselves as they will want to avoid an uncomfortable final clash with Iceland, who bettered them by two points in qualifying.

Argentina probable XI:

Caballero, Salvio, Otamendi, Tagliafico, Rojo, Banega, Mascherano, Messi, Di Maria, Meza Aguero.

Croatia probable XI:

Subasic, Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic, Rakitic, Brozovic, Perisic, Modric, Rebic, Mandzukic.

Recent Form (All comps)

Argentina: DWLWL

Croatia: WWLWL

Betting odds and tips

The bookies have Argentina as favourites, but that does not reflect recent results. They have picked up four wins in their last 10 games and were humbled by Spain and Nigeria. The lack of a team dynamic is costing them and they have shown little sign of addressing this.

Messi is capable of turning a game but unless he sparks into life dramatically, this could end in another frustrating draw for the Argentines.

You can back the Draw at 23/10.

By Neil Morris