Croatia were terrific 3-0 winners in Istanbul on Friday night and they can follow up by qualifying for Euro 2012 in style.
Goals from Ivica Olic, Mario Mandzukic and Vedran Corluka have put the Croats in a commanding position in their two-legged tie versus Turkey and only a catastrophic collapse in front of their own fans will prevent them contesting the finals next summer.
With Turkey having won 12 of their previous 14 matches on home soil, the manner of Croatia’s victory was somewhat surprising but they are a class act and coach Slaven Bilic has a talented bunch of players to work with.
With Luka Modric pulling the strings in midfield, Croatia are always likely to create chances and the Tottenham playmaker is expected to star once again on Tuesday.
The hosts look well worth supporting to me, despite their obvious lack of need to win the match, and prices in the region of 1.75 could prove generous at full-time.
Croatia, like their opponents, are a formidable outfit when playing at home and it is just two defeats in five years in Zagreb. That period covers 28 matches and with losses to only England and Holland it is clear that Turkey face an almighty task to trouble Croatia, let alone turn around a three goal deficit
The home team will also be well aware that it was Turkey that knocked them out of Euro 2008 on penalties four years ago and in Bilic I think they have the right man at the helm to guide them to Poland/Ukraine.
An early goal would settle the nerves and if Turkish heads’ drop then it could end up very comfortable for Croatia. They should advance with ease, and a win in front of their adoring public would be the perfect way to round off their qualifying campaign.
2pts Back Croatia (vs. Turkey) @ 1.75 (Stan James)