Croatia vs Russia Betting Tips 14/11/2021

15:11, 11 Nov 2021

Senior Author

15:11, 11 Nov 2021

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On November 14, 2021, at 19:30 IST, Croatia will face Russia in the last group stage encounter of the World Cup qualifiers in Croatia. Because Croatia is playing at home, the chances favor them to win, but the game is likely to be close.

Teams Status

Croatia

A tie versus Slovakia ended Croatia’s three-match winning streak. They are currently in second place in qualification group H with 17 points from eight matches. They are only two points behind Russia, but if they win this match, they will seize the lead. They’ve won five, lost one, and drawn two games so far. With ten points from four games played at home, they have the best home record in the group. So far, they’ve scored 13 goals while allowing only three. With two goals each, Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Mario Pasalic, and Marko Livaja lead the Croatian goal scorers. The veterans Modric and Perisic would play a key role in their stint to qualify for the World Cup directly.

Russia

Russia is coming into this fixture on the back of four back-to-back wins in the World Cup qualifiers against Cyprus, Malta, Slovakia, and Slovenia. They are currently at the top of the qualifier group H with 19 points from eight matches. They are two points clear of the trailing Croats and a draw here is enough for them to seal a spot in the World Cup. They have won five matches, drawn two matches, and lost one match so far. They have the best away record in the group with nine points from four matches that they have played on the road, including three wins. They have also scored 13 goals so far and have conceded just five goals. The veteran striker Artem Dzyuba is the team’s leading goal scorer, apart from him, Mario Fernandes has chipped in with two goals.

What Do the Sportsbooks Say?

Croatia	Draw	Russia
1.70	4.10	5.30
1.66	4.20	5.20
1.61	4.00	5.25

According to the Melbet sportsbook, Croatia are the favorites to win the match and are placed at 1.70, Russia are placed at 5.30 and the draw is at 4.10 odds. Croatia are placed at 1.66 according to the Dafabet sportsbook, Russia are placed at 5.20 and the draw is at 4.20 odds. According to the Betway sportsbook, Croatia are placed at 1.61, Russia are placed at 5.25 and the draw is at 4.00 odds.

Tipster’s Angle

A thriller of a contest is on the cards and a must-win game for Croatia to qualify for the World Cup without playing the playoffs. This is slightly edged towards the Croats as they are playing at home where they are unbeaten so far in the competition.

Tip: Croatia To Win @ 1.70

In the last five head-to-head matches, Croatia has won two matches, while Russia hasn’t won a single game, and three of those matches ended in a draw. In the last ten matches that Croatia has played across competitions, they have won four matches, drawn three matches, and lost three matches. Russia on the other hand has won six matches, drawn two matches, and lost two matches in the last ten matches that they have played across competitions. Croatia has won three matches, drawn one match in the last four matches that they have played on home turf in the World Cup qualifiers. So, it is very likely that Croatia will win the match at 1.70 odds available at the Melbet sportsbook.

Tip: Total Goals Under 2.5 @ 1.85

Three of the last five head-to-head meetings have resulted in under 2.5 goals, for a total of eight goals scored at an average of 1.6 goals per match. Under 2.5 goals have been scored in five of Croatia’s last ten matches in all competitions. In seven of Russia’s last ten matches across all competitions, less than 2.5 goals have been scored. In addition, under 2.5 goals have been scored in three of Russia’s last five away matches. Aside from that, in the reverse matchup of this match, no more than 2.5 goals were scored. As a result, the Betway sportsbook’s 1.85 odds indicate that there will be less than 2.5 goals scored.

Conclusion

Croatia has to win to seal a top spot but a draw would be enough for Russia as they are ahead by two points. Croatia is likely to beat Malta in the penultimate match and Russia in the last. Russia on the other hand will be looking to win Cyprus and then salvage at least a point against Croatia.