It's a heavyweight battle when Argentina and Croatia meet on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. ET. in the 2018 World Cup. Croatia tops Group D after the first round of games after it beat Nigeria, while Argentina and Iceland tied, giving both teams one point in the 2018 World Cup standings. Argentina enters Thursday's match posted at even on the money line, meaning you'd need to bet $100 to win $100 on an outright victory. Croatia is at +295 (risk $100 to win $295), while a draw is at +235. The Over-Under on total goals scored is 2.
Argentina is posted at -105 for Thursday's match, meaning you'd need to wager $105 to win $100 on an outright victory. Croatia is at +310 (risk $100 to win $310), while a draw is at +235 World Cup odds. The Over-Under on total goals scored is 2.
Before you make your plays, you need to see what European football expert David Sumpter has to say.
Sumpter is an applied mathematician who wrote "Soccermatics," a book that explains how math works inside the sport. Together with other experienced analysts, Sumpter developed the powerful Soccerbot model.
The Soccerbot reads current odds and all team performance data, calculates key metrics and predicts upcoming matches. In nearly three seasons since its inception, the Soccerbot is up an incredible 1,800 percent against closing sportsbook odds.
That includes nailing the Argentina-Iceland draw, nailing the pick for a massive +385 payout. It also accurately predicted the Brazil-Switzerland draw (+360), Iran winning at +275, and Senegal upsetting Poland at +220. Those who have laid $100 on Sumpter's World Cup picks are way, way up.
Now the Soccerbot has digested the film, crunched the numbers and broken down every single player on Argentina and Croatia. The model has released a very strong money line pick, which it's sharing over at SportsLine.
The model knows Argentina could not break through against Iceland, but dominated the match overall. Messi, one of the top footballers in history, missed a penalty kick. Still, Argentina outshot Iceland 27-8 and held possession for 78 percent of the match.
Argentina is the fifth-ranked team in the world, while Croatia is 20th. The Croatians overwhelmed Nigeria, though their scores came on a penalty kick and an own-goal.
Croatia sits on top of Group D following the first round of games and with a victory over Argentina, Croatia can all but secure its place in the knockout stage. And Croatia enters this important battle with a ton of confidence, having won three of its last four games overall.
Croatia's defense will be tasked with stopping Argentina's explosive attack. Messi and Sergio Aguero were dangerous against Iceland and will be pressing to secure a positive result against the Croatians.
So which hungry nation wins Thursday? Or does it end in a draw? Visit SportsLine now to see the strong Argentina-Croatia money line pick, all from a European football expert whose powerful model is up 1,800 percent in less than three years.
