The second match to take place in 2018 World Cup Group D is between Croatia and Nigeria and the result of this game could have a huge bearing on who qualifies from this group.
Interestingly, Kaliningrad is not connected to the main body of Russia and is a Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea. Therefore, fans attending this game are sure to have a great experience exploring a different part of Russia. So what are Croatia vs Nigeria betting tips?
Team statistics
Statistics for last 10 matches
Croatia/Nigeria
Number of wins
5/3
Number of draws
2/2
Average scored goals per match
1.1/1
Average conceded goals per match
0.8/1.5
Failure to score matches
4/3
Team form (last 5 matches)
DLWLW / LLDLL
There is one thing on every professional tipster's to-do-list, checking the teams' statistics. Without that it's impossible to predict correct score and then to share good betting tips. That's why we prepared this table for you. More betting predictions below.
Most important feature of Croatian team is probably experience and quality. With powerful midfielders like Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and FC Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitić and Mario Mandzukic, forward from Juventus, they have great potential to claim high the World Cup ladder. Croatian Coach, Zlatko Dalic, showed everyone what his team is capable of in the game against Ukraine, winning 2-0. How will it go with Nigeria?
What are the team news for Nigerians? It’s a known fact that in Nigerian team the Offence is the strongest with names like Alex Iwobi and Victor Moses. The team contains three players from Leicester, Ahmed Musa, Kelehi Iheanacho and midfielder Wilfred Ndidi who together could create a lot of problems for Croatians. After losing to England in a friendly game Nigerians will have something to prove, therefore, it’s pretty obvious they will do their very best in their first match of 2018 World Cup!
2. Croatia vs Nigeria Odds
Croatia have participated in four World Cup finals and they famously reached the semi-final of the 1998 World Cup before losing to the hosts, France.
That team was full of superstars including Slaven Bilic, Robert Prosinecki, Davor Suker, Zvonomir Boban and Robert Jarni. While this current team may not have the same depth of quality, they certainly have some very talented players with Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, who play for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively plus Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic and Juventus’ Mario Mandzukic.
Croatia were forced to settle for second place in their World Cup qualifying group but comfortably defeated Greece 4-1 on home soil to reach Russia. Croatia are the favourites to win this match, priced at 17/20 with bet365.
Nigeria have participated in six of the last seven World Cup finals, so this is not a new experience for them and they are one of the most recognisable football nations in Africa. They are the only African team to have played at the 2014 World Cup and qualified for this tournament.
The Super Eagles have risen as high as fifth in the FIFA World Rankings in the past and they came through a tough qualifying group including Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia.
However, in their final group match against Algeria, which finished 1-1, Nigeria fielded an ineligible player and the Algerian team were awarded a 3-0 win because of the error. It is this type of organisational mistake which leaves Nigeria as an unknown quantity and they are out at 10/3 to win the game with bet365.
Nigeria have many players in European leagues and they will be hoping Victor Moses, Wilfred Ndidi, Jon Obi Mikel, Alex Iwobi and Ahmed Musa will use their experience to get something from the match. The draw is 12/5 at bet365.
3. Croatia vs Nigeria Predictions
Croatia showed themselves as a tough team to break down in qualifying and they conceded just 4 goals in 10 games, with only Spain and England enjoying a superior record. Therefore, Croatia will be looking at their defence to keep Nigeria’s forwards at bay.
Out of Croatia’s six wins in UEFA qualifying, five of them were by no more than a 2 goal margin and it would be a surprise to see Croatia win this game by any more than a 2 goal margin, which is on offer at 4/1 with bet365.
Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic hold the key for Croatia in midfield and the La Liga duo can take control of matches. Without these two players, however, Croatia could be in trouble.
Nigeria will be looking towards Jon Obi Mikel to get hold of the ball in their midfield and feed the pacey forward duo of Ahmed Musa and Alex Iwobi.
Croatia vs Nigeria Betting Tips
The second match to take place in 2018 World Cup Group D is between Croatia and Nigeria and the result of this game could have a huge bearing on who qualifies from this group.
The match will take place on the 16th June at the Kaliningrad Stadium. Be sure to read our Costa Rica v Serbia betting tips, the game taking place June 17th.
Interestingly, Kaliningrad is not connected to the main body of Russia and is a Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea. Therefore, fans attending this game are sure to have a great experience exploring a different part of Russia. So what are Croatia vs Nigeria betting tips?
Team statistics
There is one thing on every professional tipster's to-do-list, checking the teams' statistics. Without that it's impossible to predict correct score and then to share good betting tips. That's why we prepared this table for you. More betting predictions below.
Contents
1. Latest updates
Most important feature of Croatian team is probably experience and quality. With powerful midfielders like Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and FC Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitić and Mario Mandzukic, forward from Juventus, they have great potential to claim high the World Cup ladder. Croatian Coach, Zlatko Dalic, showed everyone what his team is capable of in the game against Ukraine, winning 2-0. How will it go with Nigeria?
What are the team news for Nigerians? It’s a known fact that in Nigerian team the Offence is the strongest with names like Alex Iwobi and Victor Moses. The team contains three players from Leicester, Ahmed Musa, Kelehi Iheanacho and midfielder Wilfred Ndidi who together could create a lot of problems for Croatians. After losing to England in a friendly game Nigerians will have something to prove, therefore, it’s pretty obvious they will do their very best in their first match of 2018 World Cup!
2. Croatia vs Nigeria Odds
Croatia have participated in four World Cup finals and they famously reached the semi-final of the 1998 World Cup before losing to the hosts, France.
That team was full of superstars including Slaven Bilic, Robert Prosinecki, Davor Suker, Zvonomir Boban and Robert Jarni. While this current team may not have the same depth of quality, they certainly have some very talented players with Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, who play for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively plus Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic and Juventus’ Mario Mandzukic.
Croatia were forced to settle for second place in their World Cup qualifying group but comfortably defeated Greece 4-1 on home soil to reach Russia. Croatia are the favourites to win this match, priced at 17/20 with bet365.
Nigeria have participated in six of the last seven World Cup finals, so this is not a new experience for them and they are one of the most recognisable football nations in Africa. They are the only African team to have played at the 2014 World Cup and qualified for this tournament.
The Super Eagles have risen as high as fifth in the FIFA World Rankings in the past and they came through a tough qualifying group including Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia.
However, in their final group match against Algeria, which finished 1-1, Nigeria fielded an ineligible player and the Algerian team were awarded a 3-0 win because of the error. It is this type of organisational mistake which leaves Nigeria as an unknown quantity and they are out at 10/3 to win the game with bet365.
Nigeria have many players in European leagues and they will be hoping Victor Moses, Wilfred Ndidi, Jon Obi Mikel, Alex Iwobi and Ahmed Musa will use their experience to get something from the match. The draw is 12/5 at bet365.
3. Croatia vs Nigeria Predictions
Croatia showed themselves as a tough team to break down in qualifying and they conceded just 4 goals in 10 games, with only Spain and England enjoying a superior record. Therefore, Croatia will be looking at their defence to keep Nigeria’s forwards at bay.
Croatia to win to nil is 15/8 with bet365.
Out of Croatia’s six wins in UEFA qualifying, five of them were by no more than a 2 goal margin and it would be a surprise to see Croatia win this game by any more than a 2 goal margin, which is on offer at 4/1 with bet365.
Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic hold the key for Croatia in midfield and the La Liga duo can take control of matches. Without these two players, however, Croatia could be in trouble.
Nigeria will be looking towards Jon Obi Mikel to get hold of the ball in their midfield and feed the pacey forward duo of Ahmed Musa and Alex Iwobi.
These were Croatia vs Nigeria predictions. As you could see Croatia are considered as favourites, but always unpredictable African teams may be a surprise, as Nigeria may be. Read also our predictions and betting tips for the next game of Nigerian team, Nigeria vs Iceland.