The 2022 World Cup qualifiers continue in Europe this week and on Monday the 11th of October we have a meeting between Croatia and Slovakia in Group H.
The game will be played at Gradski Vrt Stadium, Osijek with the host beginning this round of matches in first place on 16 points and the visitors in fourth place on 9 points.
💯 percent at practice! 💪#BeProud #WCQ #Vatreni❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/16GgPKDJdX— HNS (@HNS_CFF) October 10, 2021
💯 percent at practice! 💪#BeProud #WCQ #Vatreni❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/16GgPKDJdX
Croatia come into the match on the back of a 3-0 victory in Cyprus. It was a game they were expected to win but it took until the 47th minute of the first half for Croatia to make the breakthrough in Larnaca.
Cyprus stayed in the game until the 80th minute when Croatia doubled their advantage and improved their goal difference with a third goal in added time.
That result means Croatia are undefeated in their last 4 games, all of which have been World Cup qualifiers.
They have won each of their last 3 fixtures, with wins over Slovakia away and Slovenia at home, in addition to the win at Cyprus on Friday.
Trends show Croatia are difficult to beat when playing on home soil and they have been undefeated in 28 of their last 30 home matches in all competitions.
In all of their 6 most recent matches in World Cup qualification, Croatia have managed to keep a clean sheet, including each of their last 3 at home.
Slovakia make the trip to Osijek on the back of a 1-0 defeat in Russia. The loss was a big blow to their chances of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup and as a result they really need to win this game to have any chance of qualification.
Slovakia found themselves 1-0 down after 24 minutes and despite not conceding another goal they could not find the back of the net themselves.
That result means Slovakia have recorded only one victory from their last 6 fixtures in all competitions. The win came at home against Cyprus in World Cup qualifying but there have been defeats at home against Croatia and a draw with Slovenia.
Trends show Slovakia's performance has been disappointing of late on the road and they have won just 1 of their 6 most recent away games in all competitions.
Slovakia's last 4 games in the all competitions have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored.
Team news and Croatia will be without suspended midfielder Mateo Kovačić, meaning Mario Pašalić could start. Otherwise, Croatia are likely to go with the same starting XI from the game in Cyprus.
Slovakia do not have any suspensions to worry about and David Strelec, Patrik Hrošovský, and Albert Rusnák are pushing for a place in the team.
We do not expect to see many goals in this match and it should end with under 2.5 goals scored. However, Croatia are the clear favourites to win and they could come out on top by keeping a clean sheet.