Croatia-Iceland Statistical Preview

Probable Lineups

CI stats 1

Team News

Croatia

The 0-0 draw with Iceland on Friday means Croatia are favourites to secure a place at Brazil 2014 and while the performance left a lot to be desired, the Balkan nation are tipped to pick up the win.
Head coach Niko Kovac has no injury worries ahead of the encounter and could name an unchanged XI from Friday’s stalemate, meaning Mateo Kovacic will be forced to start from the bench.

Iceland

Iceland’s 0-0 draw with Croatia in Laugardalsvöllur means they have it all to do when they travel to Zagreb for the second leg of their World Cup playoff.
Head coach Lars Lagerbäck will be without the services of Olafur Skulason following his dismissal in the stalemate, with the versatile Eggert Jónsson likely to fill in at right-back.
Kolbeinn Sigthorsson faces a race against time to be fit for the encounter with Croatia, but should he miss out Eidur Gudjohnsen will come in at his expense.

Prediction

Croatia’s 0-0 draw in Iceland means they’ve won just 1 of their last 5 international fixtures. Head coach Niko Kovac will look to return to form at the right time with the team needing to win in Zagreb to progress to the World Cup.
Iceland’s cause for a place in Brazil wasn’t eased by the dismissal of right-back Olafur Skulason in the first leg, but know that the away goals ruling will play into their favour if they can net in Croatia.
However, in Zagreb and in front of their own fans, Croatia’s quality in depth will see them over the finish line and secure a place at next summer’s World Cup.

Croatia 2 - 0 Iceland