England v Croatia Football Betting
After my mini break to review my betting tactics after a disappointing
period I am back today with a tip which hopefully will get me back on the
road to profit again.
I am going to have an investment on the England v. Croatia game tonight
and before anyone thinks it is from some sort of nationalistic pride I can
honestly claim neutrality being of Irish/Italian stock!
England for me have received a lot of unfair criticism recently, I would
be the first to admit this campaign has not been one of their best but the
only game they were outplayed in as far as I am concerned was the game in
Croatia when they lost 2-0.
The game in Russia was one of those results that happen from time to time
and if it was not for a penalty that should not have been awarded and a
moment of diabolical defending from Rio Ferdinand England would have
already qualified.
The English team has a horrendous injury list and those that say there is
not enough talented English players should look at the players McLaren can
still call on despite the absence of Rooney, Owen, Gary Neville, Rio
Ferdinand, Ashley Cole and John Terry.
The line up tonight will include the likes of Micah Richards, Steven
Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Gareth Barry all quality players all
of whom would not look out of place in any top flight national team.
The qualification scenario is that England's fate is back in their hands.
Russia's loss to Israel on Saturday means England will qualify if they
avoid defeat tonight.
If England do lose, they are all but certain to go out as Russia's final
match is against Andorra - currently on a run of 29 successive Euro
qualifying defeats. An England draw coupled with a Russia win means both
teams finish on 24 points. England will qualify because teams which finish
level on points are divided according to their head-to-head record.
England has the edge on goal difference after their 3-0 win at home in
London was followed by a 2-1 defeat away in Moscow.
Croatia have qualified as a result of Russia's defeat to Israel, but their
defeat to Macedonia on Saturday has opened up the possibility of England
winning the group.
If England beat Croatia by a three-goal margin they will finish ahead of
Croatia. A 2-0 win will also be enough as the head-to-head record between
the sides will be level and so the group standings will be decided on goal
difference - which will be superior for England.
A two-goal win in which England concede a goal (i.e. 3-1 or 4-2) will mean
Croatia finish top by virtue of scoring an away goal in the head-to-head
record.
If Croatia lose by a single goal at Wembley, they will still finish top of
top Group E (is everyone still with me!).
I fully expect an England win tonight in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley
as Croatia have little to play for and though they will want to show they
are a better side than the one that lost to Macedonia at the weekend
motivation will I feel be lacking.
At 4/7 and England win though not the greatest of prices it is one that I
will take advantage of.
The two sides have only met twice before the first time was in the finals
of Euro 2004 in Portugal when England won 4-2 with Rooney scoring 2,
Scholes and Lampard getting the others and England coming back from a goal
down, and the most recent encounter the 2-0 defeat in Croatia last year.
Croatia have done well to bounce back from a disappointing World Cup to
qualify so comfortably from a tough group, when the draw was made many
said this group would be an easy one for England but I was not one of
them, Russia, Croatia and Israel were never going to be easy places to get
results and this has been proved in no uncertain terms.
Croatia have come through this group with a lot of credit and in Eduardo
they have a striker of real class and as an Arsenal fan I am looking
forward to when he brings his international form to the club as when he
does I believe he will be a goalscorer in the Henry class. They also have
the likes of Luka Modric and Niko Krancjar in their ranks and so are not
to be underestimated, however England raise their game when the chips are
down and that is what I expect them to do tonight.
I will be having two other side bets for small stakes tonight in this game
and that is England to win 2-0 at generally 11/2 and for Steven Gerrard to
be first goalscorer at best price 9/1 I just think Gerrard is made for
games like this and I will not be surprised to see one of his trademark
shots nestle into the Croatia net.
So England to win 2-0 with Gerrard first goalscorer for me tonight though
I like so many will be have to take an England win.
Good Luck
Silverfox.
