Argentina vs Croatia FIFA World Cup 2018 – Lineups, Predictions & Stats Preview 21 June 2018
Game three of Group D sees Argentina take on Croatia who currently top the Group, at the end of the game will we see new leaders or will Croatia take a grip of the group and an unassailable qualification position?
Argentina Probable Lineups and Stats
One game into the tournament and Lionel Messi and his Argentinian army haven’t made the flying start that they had hoped for. Kicking off their World Cup campaign – the sports most illustrious and sought-after trophy with a 1-1 draw against Iceland, a number of punters have, already, all but wrote off Argentina’s chances of lifting the trophy for the first time in 32 years after witnessing the dismal performance against the Icelandic’s.
Messi’s poor penalty attempt was probably the low-light of the game. He will have to pick himself up and brush himself off if he is to lead his nation to their third world title like all the ‘true greats’ have done before him. Yes, they looked the stronger team, with the majority of possession – a whopping 73%-27%, and the most shots by a large margin – 27-9, but they never looked assured in front of goal.
Croatia Probable Lineups and Stats
As they prepare to take on Croatia – a side much richer in terms of quality, on paper, at least, than Iceland; will Argentinian manager – Jorge Sampaoli take a similar approach with a similar lineup? Or will he continue to build his team around his underperforming, nonetheless, brilliant Captain, Lionel Messi.
Croatia had a much better start to their tournament with a convincing 2-0 win against Nigeria. Croatia, for the most part of the match, outplayed Nigeria, with Luka Modric effortlessly converting a penalty, 71 minutes into the game. They had fewer shots on goal than Nigeria – 11-14, respectively, but importantly they were much more concise in front of the net. Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren looked solid at the heart of the defence for Croatia; but he will have to up his game another level if he is to contend against Argentina’s world-class forwards – Messi, Higuaín and Agüero at their best.
Croatia will probably look to take a similar line up to their encounter with Argentina on the 21st June.
Argentina v Croatia – Head to Head
Their next meeting on Thursday will be the fifth between the two sides, but only one of the previous four was at a World Cup with the South Americans coming out on top on that day, winning 1-0 in the group stages of France 1998. Croatia will be hoping to even out the scores as they have only managed the one victory over Argentina’s two against the Croatians, with one 0-0 draw in 1994.
Expert Tip
It is not like Argentina played badly in its draw against Iceland. While most paid attention to the Lionel Messi penalty kick, Argentina had several good chances to score but just could not execute.
Croatia has proven to be a solid team and has all the confidence and ability in the world right now. The Croats have a chance to take control of Group E. After winning their first match against Nigeria with an astonishing 2-0, they top the group. For us, they are one of the main favourites in the group, after the vulnerable performance of Argentina, we assume that the Iceland team will qualify ahead and will reach the Playoffs.
Defensively, Croatia looked very solid against Nigeria. Can they replay Iceland’s display and stop Lionel Messi here, this is what we wait to see. The first tip which we have prepared is Double Chance – X2 or Croatia to Win (Asian Handicap +0 Goals).
Interesting Facts and Information
- Argentina wins 1st half in 30% of their games, Croatia in 18% of their games.
- Croatia’s recent performance is better than Argentina’s.
- In World Cup, Croatia has better performance than Argentina.
- Argentina have lost just 1 of their last 3 games against Croatia (in all competitions).
- In the last 3 meetings Argentina won 2, Croatia won 1, 0 draws.
- The winner of their last meeting was Argentina.
- On their last meeting Argentina won by 1 goal.
- Argentina scores 1.67 goals in a match against Croatia and Croatia scores 1.33 goals against Argentina (on average).
- Argentina scores 1.6 goals when playing at home and Croatia scores 0.5 goals when playing away (on average).
- The average number of goals in meetings between Argentina and Croatia is 3.
- When Argentina leads 1-0 at home, they win in 66% of their games.
- When Croatia leads 0-1 away, they win in 100% of their games.
- When Argentina is down 0-1 home, they win 0% of their games.
- When Croatia is down 1-0 away, they win 0% of their games.
- Average number of goals in the first half in meetings between Argentina and Croatia is 1.67.
- Argentina have scored at least one goal for 7 consecutive games.
BEST WORLD CUP BOOKMAKERS
