Croatia vs San Marino Betting Tips & Predictions

Croatia have a really good side for the most part coming into this tournament, but they have been unfortunate enough to have been drawn in the toughest group of the competition. They will line up against Czech Republic, Turkey, and Spain in the group stages, and each one of those teams will feel that they can make it into the knockout rounds.

They are obviously looking for some major morale boosting wins ahead of the tournament as they have lined up friendlies against Moldova and San Marino: Two of the minnows in international football. Moldova fell to a 1-0 defeat at the end of May to make if five wins and one draw in Croatia’s last six matches.

The first two of these matches saw them end the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign on a high, finishing in 2nd position in Group H, four points behind group winners Italy and a point above Norway in 3rd.

Croatia’s squad is undoubtedly talented, but there are some issues. The main one of these is up front, where Mario Mandzukic remains the favourite for the main striking position despite only netting once in qualifying for them. He scored just 5% of Croatia’s qualifying goals, which is nowhere near good enough for a main striker. However, the sheer class of the likes of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Mateo Kovacic, and Ivan Perisic could be enough to get them through the group stages.

San Marino shouldn’t provide any sort of real test for Croatia on Saturday. Their 2-0 defeat at home to Slovenia at the end of 2015 made it seven defeats on the bounce for them and they managed just a single point in qualifying as they finished bottom of Group E. During qualification they scored one goal in their ten matches and conceded a huge 36.

San Marino are winless in 12 matches now since a 2014 win against Bellaria Igea, who are a Serie D club side in Italy if you didn’t know. This is their only win since 2004. They have lost 37 of their last 40 games as well and conceded 26 goals in their last seven games.

Obviously Croatia will be winning this game, but it’s just a case of by how many they win it. They have had a few big wins recently as they put three past Russia and Bulgaria, and they will be playing a full strength side on Saturday. San Marino will get torn apart by the likes of Modric and Rakitic and Mandzukic shouldn’t have any problem against their defence either. Odds of 19/20 for a Croatia -5 Handicap Win look to offer some value, so I’m backing that along with a 7-0 correct score prediction at 8/1.