World Cup Qualifying Group H odds: Croatia on shaky ground in tight pool
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World Cup Qualifying Group H odds and preview
Croatia reached the knockout stage of the recent European Championship and are 4/5 favourites in the World Cup Qualifying Group H odds despite an unconvincing start to their campaign.
The 2018 World Cup finalists lost their opening game against Slovenia but back-to-back victories have left them top of the table with six points, the same number as Russia.
Croatia’s dramatic defeat by Spain in the last 16 at Euro 2020 means they are 66/1 to win the tournament in Qatar but they have to get there first so let’s look at the World Cup Qualifying H odds.
England are 7/1 third favourites for the tournament in our World Cup winner odds.
Blazers must ignite campaign
Croatia were paired with England at the Euros and they were up against it after a 1-0 defeat by the Three Lions was followed by a 1-1 draw with Czech Republic.
Thankfully, they beat Scotland 3-1 at Hampden Park to qualify as runners-up for the knockout stage where they scored twice in the last five minutes against Spain to take the match to extra time but they ran out of gas in a 5-3 defeat.
In qualifying for the World Cup, Croatia eked out a 1-0 win against Cyprus and they were 28 minutes away from being held to a goalless draw at home to Malta but goals from Ivan Perisic, Luka Modric and Josip Brekalo sealed a 3-0 win.
Tough trips to Euro 2020 qualifiers Russia and Slovakia will be followed by a home clash with Slovenia during a seven-day spell in September which should provide us with more clues about Croatia’s qualification hopes.
Russia finished bottom of their group at the Euros with one win and two defeats but they have made an encouraging start, beating Malta and Slovenia, although a 2-1 loss in Slovakia has ensured five of the six nations have their eyes on top spot after three games.
Stanislav Cherchesov’s side face leaders Croatia next on September 1 and they are 6/4 in the World Cup Qualifying H odds to finish top of their pool in mid-November.
Slovakia failed to secure one of the four spots allocated for the best third-placed nations at Euro 2020 but they beat Poland and were close to getting a draw against Sweden before they were torn to shreds by Spain.
The Slovaks are the only unbeaten side in the group after draws with Cyprus and Malta were followed by a shock 2-1 win against Russia which means they are 9/2 in the World Cup Qualifying H odds to finish top of the pile.
Slovenia started with an encouraging 1-0 win against Croatia but back-to-back defeats in Russia and Cyprus have left them three points off the pace and 14/1 to steal top spot.
That win for Cyprus meant they leapfrogged Slovenia into fourth place with four points, two off the leaders, and with a trip to Malta next up they can aim higher despite their 66/1 World Cup Qualifying H odds.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
