Classy midfield should help Croatia extend group lead

Croatia v Ukraine
7.45pm Friday
Croatia have been making light work of a tricky Group I and can make it 13 points out of 15 by beating Ukraine in Zagreb.

Four of the Euro 2016 participants are in the section and Croatia certainly look the pick of the bunch.

They were 2-0 winners at home to Iceland last November and can overcome Ukraine despite the absence of injured defenders Vedran Corluka and Sime Vrsaljko and suspended Inter wide man Ivan Perisic.

Croatia will be slightly below full strength but a midfield including Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Rakitic looks very strong and they pack a punch up front with Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramaric and Juventus’s Mario Mandzukic set to feature.

Ukraine go into the game looking to extend an unbeaten start to qualifying but their only two wins have come in home matches against Kosovo (3-0) and Finland (1-0).

They struggled against stronger opposition at the Euros, failing to score a goal or register a point, and are unlikely to breach Croatia’s defence.

Recommendation
Croatia to win to nil
1pt 5-4 BoyleSports

Austria v Moldova
7.45pm Friday
Austria have made a slow start in Group D but can take out their frustrations on visitors Moldova.

Moldova have lost seven of their last eight competitive games and are unlikely to maintain parity until half-time.

Recommendation
Austria-Austria double result
1pt 3-4 Coral