On Friday night, Croatia host Finland in what could be a pivotal game in Group I of World Cup qualifying.
The home side currently lead the group and are in pole position to seal the automatic qualification spot. However, they are only ahead of second place Iceland on goal difference, while Turkey and Ukraine are also within touching distance of Ante Cacic’s team.
They were favourites to win the group, but inconsistent recent form has left their automatic qualification in doubt. Recent defeats away at qualification rivals Iceland and Turkey have been key factors in the doubts over Croatia sealing top spot.
Croatia are very strong on home soil though, having won four of their last five qualifiers at home. Their recent home qualifiers have been low scoring, though, with under 2.5 goals scored in their last five games on home soil. In fact, ten of Croatia’s last 11 home qualifiers have produced under 2.5 goals. This game could well follow the same pattern.
Finland have endured a difficult qualification campaign so far, picking up seven points in the group. However, six of their seven points in the group have come in their last two matches, as the Nordic nation has recorded successive 1-0 wins over Iceland and Kosovo. The two victories ended a five-game losing run in qualifying for the visitors.
The 1-0 win in Kosovo last time out ended a four-game losing run on their travels in qualifiers. Their recent away qualifiers have been low scoring with under 2.5 goals scored in their last three outings.
Finland have only ever faced Croatia once in competitive action and that was in the reverse fixture that Croatia won 1-0.
The trends suggest that this game could be a low scoring one. However, Forebet predicts that Croatia will record a win that could be crucial in sealing their place at next year’s World Cup.