Football Bet of the Day: Croatia to crush Cyprus

Cyprus v Croatia
Friday 19:45 (Live on Sky Sports Red Button)

In Asuncion last night, Paraguay certainly annoyed Argentina but not in the way we hoped. The hosts held their neighbours to a goalless draw.

We're crossing back to Europe today for another World Cup qualifier. Since exiting this summer's Euros after that extraordinary game with Spain, Croatia have notched clean sheets in three straight World Cup qualifiers - against better teams than Cyprus (Russia, Slovenia, Slovakia). The run means they have not conceded a goal in five straight qualifiers going back to a 1-0 defeat in Slovenia in March.

Cyprus also played three times last month, losing all three games without scoring by a combined 0-7. Including friendlies, they've managed just a single goal across their last nine outings, which include a 0-1 loss in Croatia. We're backing the Blazers to get the job done tonight - and to keep another clean sheet.