Euro 2020: Croatia is Wales’ Biggest Test

Wales vs Croatia

This is a ‘must not lose’ game for Wales.

When Croatia visits Cardiff on Sunday evening, the stadium will be rocking to the sound of the passionate Wales fans singing and chanting in hope. They will be the twelfth man, roaring every tackle and feeling the heat of every triumph and disaster.

Their Euro 2020 destiny still lay in their own hands, to some extent. Win their last three games and the Welsh will surely qualify, but in a highly competitive group that would be some achievement. Whatever the result on Sunday, Wales won’t be down and out; they could still chase down either Hungary or Slovakia for that coveted second place.

When the Euro 2020 results roll in during the week they will clear up a few matters, but there’s a way to go in Group E.

Defeat for the hosts would be a blow. Wales’ home form is their best hope but they will need to be on top form to get a result against Croatia, group leaders and 2018 World Cup finalists.

The visitors have a big incentive. Win and they are pretty much home and dry.

Talking Points

Wales must Attack

A point in this game might still be enough for Wales, providing they win their last two and results elsewhere go with them, but it is a dangerous strategy to go out and play for a draw; and the fans in the Cardiff City Stadium will expect them to go for all three points.

And why not?

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Serie A

Wales’ strength is in its front line. Daniel James is a crucial part of the rebuild process at Manchester United and he has become one of Wales’ most dangerous players. He can beat a man at will, not through trickery but with his electrifying pace, and he has a dangerous delivery as well as a lovely shot on him.

Team selection is always going to inform our SBOBET tips, and we expect to see Aaron Ramsay return to action after missing the Slovakia game. The Juventus star is a key component of Wales’ attacking play, sitting just behind the strikers, and he is Giggs’ most reliable contributor.

Of course, Gareth Bale is the star, and who knows where Wales would be without his goals, but his mood is not always the sunniest. He’s not a happy bunny at Real Madrid and can be a bit of a loose cannon. We saw both sides of his game against Slovakia, a brilliant looping header which hit the angle of post and crossbar was Bale at his best. But he was lucky to stay on the pitch after an ugly challenge late in the game.

Bale won’t need any pumping up for this match!

And it will be interesting to see if head coach Ryan Giggs gives Wigan’s Kieffer Moore another chance after he scored his first international goal against Slovakia, nodding home a superb Dan James cross. He may be the man who misses out to make way for Ramsay.

Croatia’s Quality

This is a team which will be popular in the Euro 2020 betting markets when they surely reach the finals. Croatia had a superb World Cup in Russia, culminating in a final appearance against France, going down 4-2 in a thrilling end to the tournament.

Head coach Zlatko Dalic has a talented and experienced squad at his disposal.

Wales head into their crucial Euro 2020 qualifier with Croatia on Monday — Luka Modric celebrates in front of Croatian supporters

Real Madrid star Luka Modric is the heartbeat of the Croatia team, and he scored the opener in their 3-0 win over Hungary last night. Alongside Marcelo Brozovic, Ivan Rakitic, Ante Rebic and Ivan Perisic he is in a midfield five with real quality and potency, and Bruno Petkovic is the lucky man upfront, benefitting from a constant supply of chances.

He bagged a brace against Hungary, the first a clever back-heel and he is Group E top scorer with three.

History

Despite only playing under their own flag since 1990, Croatia have enjoyed plenty of international success, coming third in the 1998 World Cup finals and reaching the quarter-finals of the European Championships twice, before their best achievement at Russia 2018.

The head to heads are firmly in the visitors’ favour, having won all four of the previous meetings, including a 2-1 victory in the return match early in the campaign as Ivan Perisic put on a master-class.

Both teams have won three, drawn one and lost two of the last six games.

Betting Tip

	Wales vs Croatia	Croatia Draw no Bet @ 1.78
	October 14, 02:45 (GMT+8)

Wales is at 2.88 to win this game with the draw at 3.20 and Croatia are favourites at 2.37.

A draw wouldn’t be a disaster for either team and while Croatia has the greater quality, a result of 1-1 at odds of 5.20 would be an interesting outside bet.