Croatia wont find Italy anywhere like the pushovers Ireland were in their first Group C fixture and a cagey clash could be in store on Thursday with so much at stake.
Slaven Bilic’s side reminded everybody just how pleasing on the eye they can be when teaching the Irish a lesson in their 3-1 win, a result that sees them currently top the section, but Croatia still have plenty to prove against the very best and it is Italy that are favourites with every bookmaker.
The Italian’s 1-1 draw with Spain will have been well received by the Azzurri and I was impressed with how they coped with the defending champions.
Having taken the lead through Antonio Di Natale in the second half, Italy might have been disappointed with just a point but victory over Croatia would put them in pole position to qualify and they must fancy their chances after such an assured start.
Italy played refreshingly direct against Spain but they did not compromise on quality, Andrea Pirlo, in particular, making a significant impact, and their clash with Bilic’s boys should once again be well worth tuning in for.
A win for either here would give them one foot, at least, in the last eight but it’s a game Croatia dare not lose, with Spain looming large in their final match, and we could just be heading for the first goalless draw of the tournament.
It’s been an excellent European Championships so far, featuring plenty of attacking football, but Italy might just revert to type and will surely be eyeing their final day contest with Ireland as an all but guaranteed three points.
A stalemate would probably suit both Bilic and his opposite number, Cesare Prandelli, and it will be interesting to see who the latter opts for in attack.
Mario Balotelli got the nod against the Spanish but it was his replacement that broke the deadlock and the Manchester City man might just be frozen out.
All the money has been for there to be goals in Poznan but I think the prices have gone too far now and the 3.00 with William Hill on thee being one or less is the value here.
I’ll also be having a small wager on no goal scorer and expect returns from at least one of the selections.
1pt Back Under 1.50 Goals (Italy vs. Croatia) @ 3.00 (William Hill)
0.5pts Back No Goalscorer (Italy vs. Croatia) @ 8.50 (Skybet)