Croatia too strong for Wales

 

Tuesday night stages part two of this week's World Cup qualifiers. Christian Crowther uses the Opta stats to recommend a few bets...

 

Serbia v Scotland (Tuesday, 19:30, ESPN)

Serbia have lost their last three qualifiers without scoring a single goal, conceding six themselves

Gordon Strachan's first competitive game in charge against Wales had promised a new dawn for Scotland fans but what transpired was more misery. Rock bottom of Group A  after that 2-1 defeat at Hampden Park, the Scots must somehow pick themselves up for this trip to Novi Sad. Like Strachan's side, the Serbs are enduring an equally  forlorn campaign, having swapped a decent start for three successive defeats without even scoring. The pair drew 0-0 in Glasgow and this promises to be another fraught  affair.

Recommended Bet: Back the draw @ 4.1

 

Wales v Croatia (Tuesday, 19:45, Sky Sports 1)

Croatia have won their last four internationals in all competitions and are unbeaten in six (W5 D1)

Despite that rousing comeback win against Scotland on Friday evening, Chris Coleman's relatively inexperienced Welsh side face far more polished opponents in the form  of Croatia. Igor Stimac's side are in ominous form, currently tied at the top of the group with Belgium, boasting the likes of Champions League heavyweights Luka  Modric and Mario Mandzukic in their ranks. Wales were outclassed in October's 2-0 loss in Zagreb and, even if Gareth Bale is cleared to play, the Croats should prove  too strong once again.

Recommended Bet: Back Croatia to win @ 1.75

 

Montenegro v England (Tuesday, 20:00, ITV)

Wayne Rooney has scored in four successive England appearances and in five of his last six

The stakes are simple for this massive clash in Podgorica. If either side can secure victory, they will put themselves in a fantastic position to win Group H. However,  the fact that England start the game two points behind Montenegro puts the onus on Roy Hodgson's men to take the game to their hosts. Although it was only San Marino  that the Three Lions beat 8-0 on Friday, the ruthless manner of victory suggests that England are hitting their stride at just the right time and, if they are to  achieve their aims, then in-form Rooney's contribution could be telling.

Recommended Bet: Back Wayne Rooney to score @ 2.4

 

Northern Ireland v Israel (Tuesday, 19:45, Sky Sports 3)

Only Edin Dzeko (seven) has scored more goals than Israel's Tomer Hemed (six) in European World Cup 2014 qualification

Weather permitting, this clash will take place just days after the cancellation of Northern Ireland's qualifier against Russia, firstly on Friday night and then again  on Saturday afternoon. While the Irish were battening down the hatches, visitors Israel were busy going within a whisker of defeating Portugal on home soil, only to be  foiled by a 90th-minute equaliser to make it 3-3. The first man on the scoresheet for the Israelis was Mallorca striker Tomer Hemed, who has struck a rich vein for his  nation and scored a hat-trick in Luxembourg in their last away qualifier.

Recommended Bet: Back Tomer Hemed to score @ 4.0

 

Bet HERE

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