15th Oct 2012 | Football
Croatia v Wales Tip
The man of the moment may not be able to steal another 3 points for his country but he could find the net on this form.
Croatia are massive favourites (1/3 Ladbrokes) to bring Wales crashing back down to earth on Tuesday, but the visitors have a talisman who has just reached a new pinnacle for his country. After his one-man demolition of Scotland, Gareth Bale is an irresistible best price 13/2 (Bet365) to score anytime in Osijek.
The thing is, as good a side as Croatia are, they almost always concede. A 1-0 home victory over Macedonia was the only clean sheet in their last 10 outings. A side that shipped four at home to Switzerland in August can’t be considered watertight.
So if there is a reasonable expectation of Wales scoring, then who else but Gareth Bale? The Tottenham flyer was mesmeric on Friday evening as he single-handedly turned the tables on the bewildered Scots. The 23-year-old provided both equaliser and winner in Cardiff, but he’s also scored the Red Dragon’s last three away goals, going all the way back to 2009.
Bale has been on top form ever since tearing past Rio Ferdinand to find the net at Old Trafford at the end of September. It’s as if the bookies haven’t noticed, so we should take full advantage of the generous price on offer.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 20:50 15th Oct, 2012 but subject to change
