Croatia Expected To Silence Armenia in European Qualifiers
Armenia take on Croatia at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium on Monday in the latest round of qualifiers for Euro 2024. Our sportsbook offers the best markets and live betting in the top European leagues.
Armenia are tough to beat at home
At the halfway stage of qualification, Armenia are likely to be fairly happy with how they have performed, given that they are still in with a shout of reaching the group stages of the Euros for the first time in history.
Oleksandr Petrakov’s side have put themselves in a relatively strong position by defeating Latvia and Wales, running out surprise 4-2 winners against the latter at the Cardiff City Stadium back in June. They kept Turkey to a 1-1 draws on Friday and they will be eager to pull off the upset against Croatia but we can’t trust them enough in order to include them in our soccer picks and parlays.
They were on the verge of beating Turkey in Istanbul, but Bertug Yildirim eventually scored a late equalizer for Stefan Kuntz’s troops. Important defender Varazdat Haroyan is banned for Monday’s qualifier.
Grant-Leon Ranos has broken into the Borussia Monchengladbach team this season, making two Bundesliga appearances, and the 20-year-old is set to lead the line, having already scored two goals in qualification for Euro 2024.
Croatia are fully packed with world-class players
Croatia have played the fewest games of any team in Group D, having only had three outings so far, in which they have amassed seven points, most recently putting in a dominant display against Latvia.
At Stadion HNK Rijeka, Zlatko Dalic’s side emerged 5-0 winners, after dominating possession and recording 28 shots throughout the match, following up an important victory against Turkey back in March.
Zlatko Dalic’s troops will be determined to stay in top two in Group D, but they will have to showcase their worth on the field. There are no fresh injury worries in the away team ahead of the trip to Armenia.
As always, a man to watch in the home team will be Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric so if you’re betting online he’s the player to watch and bet on. A win on Monday night would see Vatreni move to the top of Group D at the half-way stage, courtesy of their head-to-head record against Turkey.
Croatia manager Dalic opted for a very strong starting lineup against Latvia last time out, and given that Monday’s game could prove to be a tough test, he is likely to field a similar team, also using a 4-2-3-1 formation.
First Competitive meeting
It has to be noted that the two teams meet for the first time in a competitive match. Armenia are set to welcome the recent UEFA Nations League finalists Croatia, a nation who sit above them on goal difference despite having played one fewer game. The only prior mutual encounter (friendly match) ended level, although this one may well see the spoils go one way considering each of Armenia’s last eight home European qualifiers produced a winner within 90 minutes. Six of Croatia’s last ten internationals ended all square after 90 minutes. Just one of Armenia’s last ten internationals produced a goalless first half.
Armenia vs Croatia Game Information
- Game: Armenia (2-1-1) vs Croatia (2-1-0)
- Location: Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia
- Day/Time: Monday, Sept. 11, 12 p.m. ET
- Armenia vs Croatia Live Stream: fubo.tv
Armenia vs Croatia Betting Lines
The visitors enter this clash as heavy favorites being priced at -275 on the three-way moneyline according to the latest soccer odds while the goal line is set at 2½.
Playing on the road is unlikely to faze Croatia, as they head to Yerevan with a four-match unbeaten run in away European qualifying games under their belt. Armenia have looked very impressive in Euro 2024 qualification, punching above their weight to pick up positive results against Wales and Turkey but Croatia are at another level so we don’t expect Armenia to pull off the upset. The visitors should have enough quality to return home with the three points.
