Croatia and Russia will go head-to-head in the 2022 World Cup qualifying Group H matchday 10 at Stadion Poljud on Sunday. The kick-off is at 16:00 CEST.

Preview

This one is going to decide a winner of Group H with Russia currently leading the table with 22 points and Croatia sitting in second just two points behind their forthcoming opponents. Thus, Valeri Karpin's men only have to avoid a defeat in Split to secure an automatic qualification for the Qatari tournament while only taking all three points on Sunday would be enough for Zlatko Dalic's side to avoid going to playoffs.

Team news

Neither manager has any significant confirmed injury absentees ahead of the weekend's clash.

Prediction

Russia's goalless draw with Croatia in Moscow in September was Karpin first game in charge of his national side after replacing Stanislav Cherchesov at the helm in the summer. The Russians have gone on to win each of their five matches across all competitions, including a 6-0 thrashing of Cyprus on Thursday, so the visitors are coming into this clash in their all but perfect form. The Croats, for their part, have claimed four wins and one draw since then and will play hosts to Russia on the back of a 7-1 victory at Malta in mid-week. Given that even a draw would be enough for Karpin's crop to finish at the very top of the Group H standings, let's say that that the visitors are more than capable of getting the job done on the weekend. On the other hand, you simply can't deny Croatia's motivation to make it to next year's World Cup without going to playoffs, so let's give the hosts a little advantage in this one.

Tip

Croatia not to lose and total under 2.5 at 2.3 with 1XBET.