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UEFA Nations League: Croatia vs Spain Betting Tips



The international break is here and we’re into the final stages of the UEFA Nations League! Croatia are pretty much out of the race for the first place unless they win 7-0 but they’ve still got to play for survival and they must get a win here to go tied with England for 2nd place. Meanwhile Spain’s dominant start was ended by England but with a win here they would clinch a spot in the next round, however a draw or a loss and everything would be in England’s hands meaning Spain must try and get a win to not leave the open door for their group rivals. Spain won the first fixture 6-0, but surely in Croatia the challenge will be much much tougher.


Key Facts


Since the World Cup, Croatia have won just 1 of their 4 matches having drawn 2 and losing 1. They’re winless at UENL having lost 6-0 and drawing England 0-0. Croatia’s only win came against Jordan in a friendly 2-1.


Croatia are unbeaten in 22 straight home games including friendlies. Last loss coming to Belgium in 2014.


Croatia have only kept 2 clean sheets in their last 10 games conceding 17 goals in that run (1.7 per game).


Croatia have a 2W 4D 2L  record against League A opposition in their last 10 games against such.


Under Luis Enrique, Spain have been goal happy having scored 14 goals in 4 games (3.5 per game).


However, Spain have only kept 1 clean sheet and conceded 5 goals in those 4 games. In general, Spain have struggled to keep clean sheets recently only keeping 3 in their last 13 games.


On average there are 4.8 goals scored in Spain’s games under Luis Enrique.


Last months loss to England was Spain’s first in 27 games. They’re unbeaten in 27 of their last 28.


Spain have scored 30 goals in 11 games in 2018.


Spain have a 4W 5D 1L record against League A opposition in their last 10 games.


Alvaro Morata has scored 3 goals in his last 4 apps.


Spain are unbeaten in 18 straight away games.


Team News


Croatia: Croatia have a near full strength squad coming into this game bar the defender Strinic who is out with an injury. Otherwise they have all of their World Cup stars apart from retired Mandzukic available so expect the likes of Modric Rakitic Kovacic Perisic Lovren all to start here. With Mandzukic retired from the national team, Croatia’s biggest concern is goals as they’ve struggled to score or even create anything. Defensively they have to improve too.


Spain: Spain will be missing a couple of key defenders in Carvajal and Nacho who are both injured. However Jordi Alba has been recalled and is expected to start at LB with Alonso not even in the team. Furthermore, strikers Costa (injury) and Paco has been surprisingly left out for Aspas and Morata who Enrique seems to prefer over the most inform Spanish striker this season. Isco is recalled after missing last months games with an injury, also Suso has been called up for his great form on club level this season.


Betting Tips and Predictions


On current form, you’d have to back Spain here. Under Enrique Spain have played amazing football and that one blip against England shouldn’t change that. One bit of worry that we have for Spain is injuries at the back but even with that they have a very strong side. Croatia themselves don’t look anything like the World Cup runners up right now, the lack of a striker has cost them and defensively they JUST look woeful. Spain to win is priced at 2.00 and if they turn up playing their football they’ll win this game, it’s also hard to expect them to play poorly for 2 games straight. Over 2.5 goals at 2.10 look like a good bet considering Croatia have to go for it and Spain are the most over-ish big side in Europe right now. Prediction is a 1-2 win for Spain.




Match Odds (TonyBet)


Croatia Win – 3.85


Draw – 3.40


Spain Win – 2.00



KICK OFF – 15th November 2018 – 7:45pm UK Time

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