Croatia v Nigeria :h2h, Predictions, Time, odds, Preview, and Betting Tips
By Allan
Croatia v Nigeria
Croatia will take on Nigeria in their opening match as they try to advance to the next stage having failed at group stage last time out in Brazil.
Croatia have one of the best mid fielders in the year tournament led by Modric and Rakitic , over all they do poses a glittering squad that can take them all the way to semi finals and this is their last chances for them to pull the strings together as the squad aging up.
This Croatia sides have flattered a times and needed a play off to make it to Russia , they played two warm up matches against Brazil and Senegal losing to Brazil before beating Senegal and this match should have prepared them well against the African opponents on Saturday.
Nigeria missed out the 2014 edition and will be up for the tasked ahead of them and do boost of a good crop of players with at least 8 England based players.
Their form isnt particulary good ahead of this clash having failed tto win any of their last five matches and lost two of their three warm ups matches recently.
This is a veery difficult group for the super eagles who pehaps boost with best outfits in Russia especially their green streped jersey and should be going foe a draw in this match.
H2h
this will be the first time this two will meet.
Croatia are in the FIFA ranking.
Nigeria are 47 in the FIFA ranking.
Key stats
team news
no reportedinjury from any camp that has been reported on rightting this article.
Probable line ups:
Croatia 4-2-3-1: Subasic, Vrsaljko, Corluka, Lovren, Vida, Badelj, Rakitic, Rebic, Modric, Perisic, Mandzukic
Nigeria4-2-3-1 : Uzoho, Shehu, Troost-Ekong, Balogun, Idowu, Onazi, Mikel, Obi, Iwobi, Moses, Ighalo
Recommended bet:
Both teams to score
Over 1.5 goals
Ndidi to be yellow carded.
Player to watch
modric the little magician who has been the main stay in Madrid midfield should led Croatia to great heirghts having helped his club win the champions league for 3rd time running.
Ndidi an impressive figure in the middle of the park could be the key for Nigerian side his explosive pace and driving runs from deep could be the key to Nigerian midfield.
The underdogs of group e will meet up in their opening match and this could decide their destiny in the group.
Serbia perhap are the most talented of the two and have a crop of players playing the top legues across europe.
Led by Kolarov who turns outt for Roma , Matic a well known name in england while Savic the new sentional soughted afted player across Europe from Lazio.
The Mlade Krstajic led side played two warm up matches whoping Bolivia 5-1 but lost to Chile 0-1.
Costa Rica on the other hand a good show in Brazil four years ago by reaching the qurte final and will try level tha height but will out done by their dimining squad.
The oscar Rmirez side prefers the defensie approach prefrering to sit back and counter on the break with 3-5-2 that changes to five at the back when defending.
Side will head into this match as slightly favorite to win but it will depend who how quick they can unlock the stubborn back line of the South America outfit.
H2h
this will be the 1st meeting between this two.
Serbia are 35 in the FIFA ranking
Costa Rica are 25 in the FIFA ranking
Team news
both sides have no injury ahead of their 1st match.
Probable lineup:
Serbia 4-2-3-1: stojkovic,
player to watch