Croatia and Ukraine, the two main favorites of qualifying Group I World Championship 2018 will face Friday night in a match with major implications in the fight to present the tournament in Russia. At the end of the article you can read exactly my recommendation for this game, and still will present an analysis of the most important data and statistical issues related to the situation in two representative duel scheduled to be played on stadium Maksimir in Zagreb.
Italy
Has great need of all three points given that the group is in first place with only Spain and provide direct presence at the tournament in Russia, second place will be permitted only qualifications this dam.
Accumulated ten points from the first four matches played in the current campaign, thanks registered victories against Israel, the representativeness of Macedonia and Liechtenstein, work with a draw at home to Spain 1-1.
Claudio Marchisio and Giorgio Chiellini have recently returned from injuries and were not summoned by Gian Piero Ventura selector for this match.
Albania
It has a mission almost impossible in an attempt to repeat the performance at the last major tournament when he left a very good impression in France.
He began the preliminaries with two wins, but then was defeated both Spain (0-2) and Israel, 3-0.
Berisha Etrit goalkeeper has been removed in the previous match and will therefore be suspended for the match against Italy, as well as those from Avellino defender, Berat Djimsiti.
direct meetings
Italy and Albania have met only once, in a friendly match in November 2014, when the “Squadra Azzurra” was imposed to limit the score 1-0.
Prediction: Over 2,5 goals
Odds: 2.00
