Please, try again later
Cyprus are not an easy nut to crack but Croatia are a top team and should beat them, especially after the disappointment in the opener against Slovenia. But I don't see the visitors losing with a big difference. Away (2.5) handicap looks an interesting bet. Let's test my prediction with a bet. 💰 💰 💰
Runners up in the 2018 World Cup final, Croatia appear likely to drop further than their current FIFA ranking of 11th after six losses from their last nine matches in all competitions (W2, D1), with the starting match favourites triumphing in six of those nine games. A W6, L1 record as a home favourite since the start of 2019 holds them in good stead as they look to bounce back from defeat in their World Cup Qualifying (WCQ) opener in Slovenia.
Croatia enjoyed just one clean sheet amongst those six such victories as part of a wider defensive struggle that has seen them **** out their respective opponents of the day just twice from 19 encounters in all competitions since 2019. Notably, their most recent result ended a stretch of 21 consecutive outings (dating back to Oct 2018) in which they found the back of the net.
Ranked #100, Cyprus were on the right end of a minor upset with a scoreless draw at home to Slovakia to open their WCQ campaign, and have now taken a draw or win from three of their last five starts as an outsider at any venue. But after failing to score in three of their last four away matches in all competitions, they would have liked to have built some goalscoring momentum.
To reaffirm the importance of beginning well, the HT result has been replicated at the final whistle in all but one of Cyprus’ last eight competitive fixtures at any venue, and with just three of the 18 fixtures involving either nation since the beginning of 2020 resulting in a draw, patterns point towards a HT/FT double for the eventual winner.
2-0