Italy vs Croatia predictions and football betting tips for Sunday’s Euro 2016 qualifying match and the best free betting preview.
Come this time next year, you’d fully expect both Italy and Croatia to have qualified for Euro 2016 from a weak Group H. Both nations are on a maximum 9 points so far, though Italy did somewhat labour to their 2-1 win over Azerbaijan.
However, something has to give in the San Siro cauldron on Sunday and we’re not exactly expecting a love-in.
Plenty of away fans will have made the short trip across the Adriatic and will be as famously vocal as ever, adding to the naturally hostile atmosphere. Twin this with a decisive and reasonably card-happy referee in the form of Björn Kuipers and we may get tackles flying in on both sides. You can get 7/2 with Paddy Power that a penalty will be awarded and that’s our first betting tip.
But it’s goals that win football matches and we predict there’ll be a few. The majority of the strikers on show play in either the Premier League or Bundesliga, therefore a high tempo should prevail. Graziano Pellè and Mario Mandžukić have both made terrific starts at their new clubs and are currently among Europe’s best strikers. They are 12/5 and 5/2 respectively to score anytime.
In terms of a prevailing wind behind either team, the above tips do rather smack of hedging on action instead of a result. But playing in front of their tifosi really should pay off for an Italian side that hasn’t lost at home in a competitive fixture since 1999. Italy to win is 5/4 with William Hill and we are predicting they will come away with three points for our result tip.
Italy v Croatia Betting Tips
Penalty awarded – bet here at 7/2 with (new accounts bet £5 get £20)
Graziano Pellè and/or Mario Mandžukić to score anytime – bet on Pellè at 12/5 with , bet on Mandžukić at 5/2 with
Italy to win - 5/4 with (new accounts bet £10 get 2 free £10 bets).