Football Results

This match of the third round in the Group D is definitely far more important for Iceland as it occupies the third place in the table at the moment, having won just one point, while leading Croatia has already qualified for the last 16 after two wins. Right because of that the Croats should be far more relaxed in the last match of the group phase, while on the other hand debutant Iceland certainly hopes for favourable result of the second match in the group between Nigeria and Argentina. Let’s add that Croatia and Iceland shared the group in European qualifications for the 2018 World Cup and then each team won at home.

Iceland

Right because of that everyone in Iceland’s team believe that can win all three points against the Croats, especially as they had already qualified for the round of 16 and consequently should play with far less intensity than the Icelander. True, the result pressure on team led by manager Hallgrimsson could be their problem, especially as in the end it can happened that even victory over the Croats wouldn’t be enough to reach the last 16. Before the last round the Icelanders have two points fewer than Nigeria, which won them in previous round, while Argentina still seeks its chance to reach the knockout phase as it has just one point that was won in drew 1-1 with Iceland at the beginning of the championship.

Since we are going through Iceland’s previous at the World Cup in Russia, we can say that the Icelander showed two different faces in them, given they managed to pull one point from match with Argentina thanks to very tough and discipline game, while they seemed lost against fast Nigerians and had conceded two goals. True, now against the Croats they should have a bit easier job since their rivals have already qualified for the last 16 and will most probably not play with full throttle. On the other hand, the Icelanders have nothing to wait for and must play from the first minute on all or nothing. Right because of that we expect from Hallgrimsson to set far more offensive tactic than in first two rounds, although stoppers R. Sigurdsson and winger J. Gudmundsson are questionable for the match due to injuries.

Probable lineups Icelanda: Halldorsson – Saevarsson, Arnason, R. Sigurdsson (Ingason), Magnusson – J. Gudmundsson (Gislason), Gunnarsson, G. Sigurdsson, Bjarnason – Finnbogason, Sigurdarsson

Croatia

Unlike the Icelanders who have won just one point after first two rounds Croatia had done the job against Nigeria and Argentina in the best possible way and now they have no result pressure ahead of the last, third round of the group phase. Team led by manager Delic did a routine job against Nigeria 2-0 in the first match, and then it showed its offensive potential against favoured Argentinians and thanks to goals scored by Rebic, Modric and Rakitic had achieved a great victory of 3-0. We need to stress the Croats played very well in defence where they had the most problems before, but it seems that Delic has managed to improve that segment of the game right here at the World Cup in Russia.

Thanks to very good results in first two rounds the Croats are one of rare national teams who have qualified for the last 16 before the last match of the group phase. They will be most probably the group winners, given that at the moment they have even three points more and much better goal difference than the 2nd-placed Nigeria. Right because of that Delic said right after match with Argentina that will rest almost all starters in match with Iceland, especially as some of them have by one yellow card, while midfielder Brozović is anyway suspended. It doesn’t mean that the reserve team will not give its best in order to defeat the Icelanders as it is very important for the Croats to be in positive mood ahead of the round of 16 match.

Probable lineups Croatia: Kalinic – Jedvaj, Corluka, Caleta-Car, Pivaric – Badelj, Bradaric – Pjaca, Kovacic, Perisic – Kramaric

Verdict:

We have said earlier that only victory leaves Iceland in the race for the round of 16, something that Croatia already has done and consequently it can play without any pressure in the last round, which is why we have opted here for a pick with goals on both sides of the pitch.

Pick: both teams to score 2.0 - 100/100@1XBet