Croatia vs Ukraine: Analysis and Prediction – This will be the second round Olympic prequalification game between Croatia and Ukraine.
Croatia vs Ukraine Odds
Croatia vs Ukraine (1/2): 1.01 / 12.00
Asian Handicap ( -18.5 / +18.5): 1.76 / 1.90
Total Over/Under (159.5): 1.83 / 1.83
Odds via Bet365 Sportsbook
Croatia Team News
Croatia advanced into the second stage with a perfect record. They won three out of three games, with only showcasing a little struggle against the Netherlands. In the other two games against Belgium and Sweden, they won convincingly.
Bojan Bogdanovic retired from playing for the national team, while Karlo Matkovic and Danko Brankovic weren’t available. But Dario Saric and Ivica Zubac are here, just like Mario Hezonja and Jaleen Smith.
Croatia showcased great offense in the group stage of the prequalifications. They scored 86 or more points in all of the three games. Saric is fantastic as a point forward, he is racking up assists. While the defense was a little bit slacking against the Netherlands, they should play more seriously in the semi-finals.
Ukraine Team News
Ukraine went 2-1 in the group stage. They won against Iceland and Bulgaria, while defeat was from Turkey.
They are playing in this tournament with a seriously weakened squad. There is no Svi Mykhailiuk, Alex Len, Blyzhniuk, and Issuf Sanon. They are not the only missing, because they will also be without Tkachenko, Sidorov, and Lukashov.
Ukraine had an easier group stage, and while they showcased great resistance against Turkey, the opponent also didn’t play with full intensity. Lack of shooting is a serious problem for Ukraine, as only two guards are good long-range shooters. Also, their p’n’r defense isn’t flexible, as they can only play drop coverage.
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Croatia vs Ukraine H2H
Their most recent H2H game was in the last year’s Eurobasket when Croatia won 90-85. But their rosters were much different, with Ukraine having most of their top guys, while Croatia had Bojan Bogdanovic.
Absences and injuries
Croatia is without Bojan Bogdanovic, who retired, and also no Brankovic and Matkovic. Ukraine is without Mykhailiuk, Len, Sanon, Tkachenko, Sidorov, Lukashov.
Croatia vs Ukraine Prediction
Croatia got a much more talented squad. While Ukraine fought well against Turkey, their opponent wasn’t playing with full intensity. The lack of shooting from Ukraine should be exploited. Zubac can comfortably play drop defense, in which he is most comfortable. On the other side, Ukraine doesn’t have defensive flexibility to play any coverage but drop. Dario Saric should exploit that by popping for threes. We expect Croatia to win by 20 or more points without a problem.
Tip-off Time: Friday 18.08.2023, 16:00 CET
Prediction: Croatia -18.5
Odds: 1.76
Sportsbook: Bet365