Euro 2012 Free Premium Play: Croatia vs Republic of Ireland

Euro 2012 - Group C - Croatia vs Republic of Ireland

Croatia had an excellent team in 2008, but this version is far away from the quality displayed in the previous competition. 
They lost due to retirement their best defensive midfielder Niko Kovac who has never really been decently replaced and their best player Lukas Modric is now playing in a less offensive position in comparison with his former position: a pure playmaker behind the front line.

Modric isn’t a quick footed player and the Croatians as a team are very slow in possession and in keeping the ball for long periods, without looking to penetrate the opposition defense. This can hurt them against laid back teams because their pace isn’t strong so the opposing team will have time to positioning themselves. That’s why Croatia struggled so badly in the qualifying stage against Greece. In the two games against the Greeks, Croatia drew against them 0-0 and then lost by 0-2!

The problem is that Ireland with Trapatonni will assemble the same style used by Greece: they will lay back, give the ball possession to Croatia – they are completely confortable with that and they will make some counter moves. In my opinion, one of the weakness of Croatia is their slow footed defense, so Ireland will have some chances in counter moves.

I expect ths contest to be a tactical battle, in a low scoring game where Ireland is more confortable in this scenario. Therefore, I'll take the Irish side in a Double Dime Play and the Under in a Single Dime Play.

Pick: 4 units (Double Dime Play) on Republic of Ireland (+0,5) @ -110 / 1.909 on Pinnacle

Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on Under 2 Goals @ -103 / 1.971 on Pinnacle