Iceland vs Croatia Prediction & Betting Tips - World Cup

Prediction published on 22/06/2018, 15:56  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 27/06/2018 at 03:19 in World Cup Predictions

Two wins have already secured Croatia a place in the knock-out stages of the World Cup for the first time in twenty years. They are yet to concede a goal after beating Nigeria 2-0 and then destroying Argentina 3-0 but they can't relax in this game. The team finishing second in Group D meet the winners of Group C and that looks like being France, so Croatia will want to win this group and get a potentially easier game against Denmark or Australia. The Croatian side have impressed so far and now take on an Iceland side who they finished second behind in the qualifying rounds. The two sides have met six times in the World Cup with Croatia unbeaten in the first five before losing 1-0 away to Iceland last June, only the second goal Iceland have ever scored against Croatia. A draw or anything less than a Nigerian win against Argentina will be enough to win them the group. If they do lose this game, the chances are they will still win the group because of their superior goal difference.

Iceland did well to get a 1-1 draw with Argentina in their first game but failed to build on that when losing 2-0 to Nigeria. That defeat means they have to beat Croatia to have any chance of reaching the first sixteen in their first ever World Cup finals. Even then they would still be knocked out if Nigeria beat Argentina or possibly on goal difference if the Nigerians can get a point. Iceland struggled in that game against Nigeria and it looks difficult for them to bounce back and get a win over an impressive Croatia side. Go for Croatia to get the win and finish top of the group.