Football Bet of the Day: Croatian stagnation set to continue

Ukraine v Croatia
Monday October 09, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports Red Button

It finished Germany 5 Azerbaijan 1 last night. A fine end to a truncated week for our Tobias. A stein for him to enjoy in celebration.

No time for beer for us, as we're off to Ukraine for a hugely important World Cup qualifier between the hosts and a Croatian side in danger of suffering a gigantic meltdown.

Croatia have sacked their coach Ante Cacic after a disastrous 1-1 draw at home to Finland. A last-gasp equaliser for the Finns saw Cacic's side gift Iceland the initiative in the group, and a defeat tonight will see them eliminated entirely. After the Finland draw, players like Luka Modric vented their anger in the press, and Cacic (a former TV repair man, no less) was promptly replaced by caretaker boss Zlatko Dalic.

Croatia have taken just four points from their last four qualifiers, and their road form is a big concern. They have lost 1-0 in Turkey and Iceland, and bizarrely they were swept aside 3-0 by Estonia in a friendly.

Conversely, Ukraine are in good shape, and are one win away from the playoffs. Wing wizards Andriy Yarmolenko and Yevhen Konoplyanka are in good domestic form in the Bundesliga, and the team has won three of the last four qualifiers, keeping clean sheets in all three victories. The only disappointment for Ukraine fans ahead of this game is that Ivan Ordets and Artem Kravets are both suspended after picking up bookings in the win over Kosovo.

On home soil Andriy Shevchenko's side have won their last three qualifiers, and they saw off Turkey 2-0 in the most recent of those wins. Also, the hosts will be fully focused on what they have to do, as only a win will do. Ukraine are outsiders here, and they shouldn't be, so back them with some insurance using Draw No Bet.

Recommended Bet
Back Ukraine Draw No Bet at 2.08