Kick-off: 1945, 13/10/2019
Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
TV: Sky Sports
Wales have work to do to qualify from Euro 2020 Group E but can keep their hopes alive by drawing with table toppers Croatia on home turf.
The visiting World Cup finalists impressed when slamming Hungary 3-0 in Split on Thursday but have not travelled too well during this campaign.
They may be content to share the spoils in Cardiff, so 11/5 for a stalemate looks a value pick for our opening Wales vs Croatia prediction.
A Look At Wales’ Betting Odds
Wales picked up their first away point in this pool when drawing 1-1 in Slovakia, having previously suffered narrow defeats in Croatia and Hungary.
Wigan striker Kieffer Moore headed the Dragons into a first-half lead before Juraj Kucka equalised after the interval.
“It’s never easy away from home and it’s always fine margins,” said Ryan Giggs. “It could have gone either way and it was end to end, a good game for the neutral.
“Overall, I’m happy to get the draw because we were under pressure at times. But we probably created the better chances. We could have won it, we could have lost it.”
Wales have edged out Slovakia and Azerbaijan in front of their own fans, but this is obviously a step up from that level, so expectations should be tempered by a realistic approach.
Looking at the Wales vs Croatia odds, we like 7/2 for the scores to be level at half-time and full-time.
Giggs hopes to have Aaron Ramsey available after the Juventus midfielder missed the Slovakia draw with a groin problem.
Gareth Bale is expected to play despite needing lengthy treatment in the final minute in Trnava, but Ethan Ampadu is doubtful after being substituted near the hour-mark.
A Look At Croatia’s Betting Odds
Luka Modric opened the scoring as Croatia extended their lead at the top of Group E to three points thanks to a 3-0 win over Hungary.
Bruno Petkovic’s double before the break completed the scoring but the forward was denied a hat-trick after missing from the spot on the resumption.
Hungary’s Laszlo Kleinheisler saw red for a second bookable offence shortly after, leaving Croatia to cruise to a third straight home victory in this section.
“It was necessary for us to win all three points and we dominated the whole match against a really good team,” beamed Petkovic.
Croatia also sparkled in last month’s 4-0 triumph in Slovakia, but they did lose in Hungary and only drew in Azerbaijan.
Let’s finish off our Wales vs Croatia betting tips by taking 11/2 for a 1-1 stalemate.
Additional stats
Last result:
Slovakia 1-1 WALES – Kieffer Moore
CROATIA 3-0 Hungary – Luka Modric, Bruno Petkovic (2)
Head-to-head: Croatia 2-1 Wales, Wales 1-2 Croatia, Croatia 2-0 Wales, Croatia 2-0 Wales, Croatia 1-1 Wales
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