Lionel Messi goal-scoring betting & tips – Argentina vs. Croatia odds

Argentina will look to gets its 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign back on track when it faces Croatia on Thursday night at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

Bovada has Argentina as the favorite in this Group D match at +100 with Croatia at +305 and a draw at +235. The Over/Under for this game is set at 2.5 goals.

Little surprising that Croatia is atop Group D after one match not because they won, but because heavily favored Argentina played to a draw facing Iceland in their opener.

In the four all-time matches between these teams Argentina has won twice, lost once, and there has been one draw.

Interesting fact that Croatia won their opening World Cup match and the last time they did so was in 1998 when they pulled off a shocker finishing the tournament in 3rd place.

Croatia was solid in their opener beating Nigeria 2-0. While they scored their goals on an own goal and a penalty they were pretty sound all-around the pitch. Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic were the key players in the midfield and had a great match and Modric was spot on with his passing. The Croatian attack lacked a lot of giusto and Mario Mandžukić and Andrej Kramarić must pressure the Argentine defense more in this match then they did in the win over Nigeria.

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The Croats played a great match in the shutout win over Nigeria and were especially solid on defense and in the midfield. However, with the group standings how they are will they play the same match? They will be more than happy with the draw, but the Croats style is not to sit back and pack the defense.

Croatia took advantage of their time of possession in the win over Nigeria., but they will likely not be afforded that option facing Argentina.

Argentina looked less than a world power in their 1-1 draw against Iceland in their opening match of the tournament. They absolutely dominated the time of possession in the match (78% to 22%) and Lionel Lessi had 11 shots, but he also missed a crucial penalty and his fellow strikers did not help pit much. The squad relied too much on him up front even though Sergio Aguero had a great goal for Argentina’s only score.

Backup Chelsea goalie Willy Caballero will get the start in this match between the sticks with #1 GK Sergio Romero injured.

Croatia needs to take a page from Iceland’s blueprint facing Argentina concentrating on containing Messi. They will likely play a more defensive sided match, but with Modric and in the middle of the pitch the squad is always dangerous with them pushing forward and also helping the counter-attack.

Argentina has to play like this match is a must win, as it, pretty much is. If they even draw they will be behind the eight-ball to make it to the knockout stage, especially if Iceland beats Nigeria.

Argentina vs. Croatia betting predictions

Croatia looked solid in their opening match in Russia while Argentina did not.

This will be a tight match from the opening whistle and each team will have their chance to score.

However, Argentina has Messi and he will redeem himself after missing a penalty in the draw against Iceland and lead Argentina and they will win 2-1.

Argentina & Croatia recent form

Argentina:

28/05/18 – Argentina – Nicaragua (Cancelled)
30/05/18 – Argentina 4 – Haiti 0 (Friendly)
09/06/18 – Israel – Argentina – (Cancelled)
16/06/18 – Argentina 1 – Iceland 1 (World Cup)

Croatia:

28/03/18 – Mexico 0 – Croatia 1 (Friendly)
03/06/18 – Brazil 2 – Croatia 0 (Friendly)
08/06/18 – Croatia 2 – Senegal 1 (Friendly)
16/06/18 – Croatia 2 – Nigeria 0 (World Cup)

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