Iceland vs Croatia Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips

Iceland vs Croatia World Cup qualifying play-off betting tips: Iceland host Croatia in the first leg of their 2014 World Cup play-off on Friday and we have got football tips for the match.

Here’s the team that will be getting the most neutral support in these World Cup playoffs; if Iceland were to qualify, they would be the smallest ever nation, population wise, to qualify for the tournament.  After unexpectedly finishing second in their group, ahead of Slovenia and Norway, they have nothing to fear while facing a Croatian team that has been in flux this year.

If we compare the teams by the talent they possess, there is no doubt that Croatia come out on top, and their odds of 21/20 (Bet365) to win this first leg match in Reykjavik reflect that.  With Luka Modric, Eduardo, and Mario Mandzukic just some of the players who will line up for the away team, it is a daunting test for the Icelandics.

Open a new Bet365 account to bet on our football tips and get up to £200 free – register here.

On their side however is stability, as they have the Swede Lars Lagerback in charge, a man who guided his home country to five consecutive tournaments.  He has got Iceland playing to the peak of their abilities with a squad that has just a sprinkling of top level experience, including Tottenham’s Gylfi Sigurdsson, the ex-Chelsea man Eidur Gudjohnson, and Cardiff’s Aron Gunnarsson.  They also have momentum, with a streak of five games unbeaten.

The Croatian team are not quite as settled or in such winning form, having lost four of their last seven games, and they sacked Igor Stimac as soon as the group stage was over.  This will be Niko Kovac’s first game in charge, and with such uncertainty around the squad, I can’t back them to win this leg of the tie, though I would expect them to find an overall win to take them to Brazil next summer.

So, with all of these factors considered, I can see a draw in Reykjavik on Friday night (5/2 Bet365), with the Croats happy to take that and try to finish off Iceland in the second leg.  I fancy both teams to score and the match to be a draw at 4/1 (Ladbrokes) for my first Iceland v Croatia prediction.  If you really want a flutter, look at the 2-2 draw at 22/1 (Bet Victor), as Iceland conceded 17 goals in their campaign while Croatia were hardly watertight with nine. 

Looking at the goalscorer odds, I’m surprised that Sigurdsson is at 6/1 to score anytime, due to his good form and the fact that he is such a threat on the ground and in the air.  As for Croatia, I think the movement of Eduardo rather than Mandzukic’s aerial power will be a bigger problem for the defence, while Olic off the subs bench will be tough to deal with as tiredness sets in.  Olic to be the final goalscorer of the match at 15/2 might be worth some consideration.

Iceland v Croatia Betting Tips

Match Result And Both Teams To Score: Draw @ 4/1 (Ladbrokes)

Correct Score: 2-2 Draw @ 22/1 (Bet Victor)

Gylfi Sigurdsson to Score Anytime: 6/1 (Bet Victor)

Ivica Olic as Last Goalscorer @ 15/2 (Bet Victor)

Open a new Ladbrokes account to bet on our World Cup qualifying play-off tips and you will get £30 in free bets once you place a single £10 bet. This means win or lose you will have £30 to bet with.

To get your £30 free:

1. Click this link straight to Ladbrokes' promotion

2. Open a new account for free

3. Bet £10 on any sports event

4. Win or lose get three free £10 bets

Bet on tonight's Iceland v Croatia betting tips at Ladbrokes.

CLICK THIS LINK STRAIGHT TO LADBROKES AND ACTIVATE YOUR FREE BETS

By Darren Walsh