Croatia will be looking to stay in contention for the top spot in World Cup Qualification Group H when they take on Malta at the Ta’Qali National Stadium.
Another nightmarish qualifying campaign that has seen them pick up just five points from eight matches (W1, D2, L5) has extended Malta’s wait for their first-ever World Cup finals experience. With nothing but pride left to play for across the final two Group H fixtures, the hosts will at least hope to improve a paltry scoring return that has witnessed them draw a blank in three of their last four World Cup qualifying outings. Any hopes of upsetting Croatia are far-fetched, with the ‘Falcons’ losing all but one of their nine historical H2Hs (D1), including the last five in a row. Malta seem likely to concede the opener for the fifth World Cup qualifier running, considering they’ve drawn a blank in three consecutive meetings with Croatia.
In the meantime, Croatia came from a 2-1 HT deficit to hold Slovakia to a 2-2 home draw last time out, ending a run of three World Cup qualifying wins on the trot. Sitting two points adrift of group leaders Russia, whom they will face on the final matchday, the ‘Blazers’ have to win here to keep their quest for automatic qualification for Qatar 2022 alive. Brimming with confidence after going unbeaten in seven World Cup qualifiers (W5, D2) since the opening day defeat to Slovenia, the Croats will be aiming to maintain an almost perfect competitive record on Maltese soil (W3, D1). That may well hinge on their defensive stubbornness, as Zlatko Dalic’s men have registered seven clean sheets across their last nine World Cup qualifying fixtures.
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