Match: FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers-Faroe Islands vs. Croatia
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Local Kick-off Time: September 5, 19:45
Handicap Prediction (Asian Handicap): Faroe Islands +1.75
Match Result Prediction (European Handicap): Draw + Away Win (Croatia)
Predicted Scores: 0-1, 1-1, 1-2
Predicted Total Goals: 1, 2, 3
Comprehensive Analysis
The Faroe Islands currently ranks 141st in the FIFA World Rankings with a total squad value of €4.6 million. Their most valuable player is midfielder Justin Nielsen, who plays for Danish 1st Division side Hillerød. In Group L, the Faroe Islands sit 4th with 1 win and 2 losses in 3 matches: a 2-1 home win over Gibraltar (a lower-tier team) and away losses of 0-1 to Montenegro and 1-2 to the Czech Republic.The Faroe Islands’ head coach is local manager Jógvan Martin Olsen (Clarkstein), who was appointed interim coach in October 2024 and made permanent in February 2025. Since 2013, Olsen has coached in the Faroe Islands’ domestic league and national team setup, giving him a deep understanding of the team. Most of the squad is drawn from the domestic league, with 9 players coming from league leaders KÍ Klaksvík. While the Faroe Islands lacks quality—with no players in Europe’s top five leagues or even secondary leagues like the Primeira Liga (Portugal) or Eredivisie (Netherlands)—their coach and players share strong familiarity and teamwork. In their first two qualifiers, they demonstrated resilient defense in narrow losses to Montenegro (defeated by a stoppage-time winner) and the Czech Republic. They will not easily concede defeat against Croatia, the strongest team in the group.
Croatia currently ranks 10th in the FIFA World Rankings with a squad value of €220 million. Their most valuable defender, Josko Gvardiol, will miss this match due to injury. Croatia sits 2nd in Group L but has only played 2 matches, winning 5-1 against the Czech Republic and 7-0 against Gibraltar. They trail group leaders the Czech Republic by 3 points but have 2 games in hand.Croatia boasts a strong squad, featuring veterans like Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, and Andrej Kramaric, as well as promising youngsters such as Petar Susic (who joined Inter Milan this summer) and Franjo Ivanovic (who moved to Benfica in the Primeira Liga). The defense has undergone a generational shift: only right-back Josip Juranovic (Union Berlin) is over 30, while other key defenders—such as Juraj Sutalo (Ajax), Martin Kaleta (Real Sociedad), and Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich)—are in their prime (25-28 years old). Overall, Croatia’s strength is even greater than during their previous World Cup campaign.At the 2024 UEFA European Championship in Germany, Croatia failed to advance from the group stage: losing 0-3 to Spain, and drawing with Albania and Italy (both matches ended in late equalizers). This early exit accelerated their squad renewal, with head coach Zlatko Dalic giving more opportunities to young players like Ivanovic, Susic, and Ante Budimir. For this qualifier, Croatia has even called up two uncapped rookies, Filip Fruko and Lovro Smolic. The blend of experience and youth makes Croatia a force to be reckoned with.
Summary
Asian bookmakers took a direct stance with the initial handicap, opening with Croatia -1.75 at low odds—amplifying Croatia’s perceived advantages. Additionally, Croatia has covered the handicap in their last two matches, and the deep -1.75 opening here further signals positive sentiment toward them. However, this has led to potential overheating of Croatia’s odds, with a possible handicap upgrade later. Therefore, this match is expected to see the Faroe Islands hold on to the +1.75 handicap.
