Estonia VS Croatia Match Prediction

  • Logo2017-03-28
  • Logo16:00:00
Estonia
VS
Croatia

Our Prediction Tip

Croatia will win this match.

Croatia have never lost to Estonia, winning six of the eight games played between the two nations. Estonia have only scored two goals in those eight games too, including one in their most recent encounter – a 3-1 Croatia win in a friendly in 2012.

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Estonia vs Croatia Prediction

Croatia’s decision to rest the likes of Mandzukic, Rakitic and Modric should not affect their chances of getting a win in Estonia. Instead it is a chance for their fringe players to prove their worth to manager Ante Cacic.

Correct Score Prediction: Estonia 0-2 Croatia

Estonia vs Croatia Betting Tips and Odds

Croatia can be backed at 1/2 with Betfair, while Bet365 are offering 4/9 on an away win. The draw is a best price 16/5 with Bet365, while Estonia are as high as 13/2 – again with Bet365.

Given Estonia’s poor goalscoring record against Croatia, it is unsurprising to see both teams to score has been set at 11/20 for no and 13/10 for yes.

Reason: It is not just Croatia’s unbeaten record against Estonia, but their recent form in all competitions too. Even with several star players rested, they have a team which should be more than good enough to get a win in Tallinn.
 

Team News

Estonia boss Martin Reim stuck with three of the back four who Belgium hit eight past for the trip to Cyprus, and the decision paid off with a clean sheet. With a largely full-strength squad to choose from, Reim might us the visit of Croatia to rotate his options.

Key Man

Captain Ragnar Klavan is still to find his feet at club level since signing for Liverpool, but the big defender’s influence is undoubted on the international scene as he prepares for his 118th cap.

Team Form

Estonia’s recent record is skewed slightly by a two-game tour of the Caribbean, undertaken by what was largely a ‘B’ team in late November. A draw and a win there, followed by Saturday’s goalless draw in Cyprus, means Estonia have not lost in three internationals, but their most recent fixture before that ended in an 8-1 thrashing at the hands of Belgium.

Expected Line-up: 4-2-3-1

Estonia likely XI

  • Goalkeeper:Aksalu

  • Defenders:Teniste, Baranov, Klavan, Kruglov

  • Midfielders:Dmitriev, Mets

  • Attacking Midfielders:Zenjov, Kait, Ojamaa

  • Forwards:Vassiljev

Team News

Croatia have trimmed their squad for the long trip to Tallinn, resting several of their big-name players after beating Ukraine on Friday. La Liga stars Ivan Rakitic, of Barcelona, and Real Madrid’s Luka Modric have returned home, as have Serie A trip Marcelo Brozovic, Nikola Kalinic and Mario Mandzukic.

Key Man

Despite resting several big-name players, Croatia still have plenty of quality in their squad – not least Internazionale winger Ivan Perisic, who was suspended for the Ukraine game. Perisic, who has scored 16 times for Croatia, has nine goals and three assists in Serie A this season.

Team Form

Croatia have not lost in normal time since being knocked out of Euro 2016 by eventual winners Portugal. The only blot on the copybook is two draws in the China Cup – a tournament for which Croatia effectively sent their ‘B’ team – which both ended in penalty shoot-out defeats. Those fixtures aside, Croatia’s 1-0 win at home to Ukraine on Friday was their fifth consecutive win – a run in which they have not conceded a goal.

Expected Line-up: 4-2-3-1

Croatia likely XI

  • Goalkeeper:Kalinic

  • Defenders:Jedvaj, Mitrovic, Vida, Pivaric

  • Defensive Midfielders:Badelj, Kovacic

  • Attacking Midfielders:Rog, Cop, Coric

  • Forwards:Kramaric

Croatia are taking the opportunity to rest their more senior internationals, but there is no shortage of quality in the players left in the squad to face Estonia. Internazionale\'s Ivan Perisic leads the way, and - having never previously lost to Estonia - the Croatians should rack up another win.
Estonia have never beaten Croatia in an international match, and have only scored two goals in the eight games played between the two nations.