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UEFA EURO 2016 Group D – Croatia Team Predictions, Odds and Preview

UEFA EURO 2016 Group D – Croatia Team Predictions, Odds and Preview

Croatia – No. 23 in FIFA World Rankings

Team Strengths:

Croatia’s midfield is as good as anyone’s in the tournament. Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic play for Spain’s big two – Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively – as do promising youngsters Mateo Kovačić and Alen Halilovic. Those excellent midfielders provide steady service for experienced striker Mario Mandzukic. He was one of the six leading scorers in Euro 2012 with three goals, and is a sneaky +2,800 to lead the tournament again.

Croatia are expected to be the biggest challengers to Spain, and that combination is priced at +130 to be the top two in Group D.

Team Weaknesses:

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Defense is the glaring hole in Croatia’s otherwise impressive team. Dejan Lovren’s falling out with manager Ante Čačić means Croatia will be without one of their top two central defenders. Meanwhile, full-backs Darijo Srna and Daniel Pranjic are both 34 years old, and their aging legs could be susceptible to speed in the tournament.

This will also be Croatia’s first major tournament in this millennium without legendary goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa between the sticks, so the pressure will be on the inexperienced Danijel Subašić to perform on the big stage.

Team Stats (During Euro Qualifiers):

Category Stat
Goals Scored Per Game 2
Goals Conceded Per Game 0.5
Goal Attempts Per Game 14.7
Pass Completion Percentage 89%
Ball Possession Percentage 58%

Starting Lineup:

Position Name (Age) Career Caps Goals
Goalie Danijel Subašić (31) 19 0
Defender Darijo Srna (34) 129 21
Defender Vedran Corluka (30) 87 4
Defender Domagoj Vida (27) 36 1
Defender Danijel Pranjić (34) 58 1
Midfielder Luka Modrić (30) 89 10
Midfielder Ivan Rakitić (28) 75 10
Midfielder Ivan Perišić (27) 45 12
Midfielder Mateo Kovačić (22) 26 1
Midfielder Marcelo Brozović (23) 16 4
Forward Mario Mandžukić (29) 65 21

Writer’s Prediction

Croatia finish as runners-up to Spain in Group D and qualify for a quarterfinal berth in France.

Create a betting account now and cash in on some summer soccer action with Euro 2016.

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Brad
Written by Brad

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