WRC Croatia Rally Odds: Favorites and sleepers for Round 4
The WRC returns to Europe for the first tarmac event of the schedule
The World Rally Championship is back in action this weekend after a dominant performance by two-time defending champion Kalle Rovanperä.
A part-time driver in 2024, the Finnish driver took the lead with a win on special stage 2 and didn’t look back.
He won by more than a minute and a half over fellow Toyota driver Takamoto Katsuta. But Rovanperä’s not racing this weekend, and the WRC Croatia Rally Odds are much closer.
WRC Croatia Rally Odds: Favorites to win
Thierry Neuville (+125)
Despite finishing 10 minutes behind Rovanperä, Neuville leads the championship after three rounds. The Belgian’s in solid standing despite just one podium result. The new points system’s helped him take a six-point lead in the WRC standings.
He should be in for a good result this weekend. His WRC career is marked with top results in tarmac events. He’s won at least one tarmac or mixed tarmac event in each of the last five seasons.
He hasn’t won in Croatia before but did finish third in 2021 and 2022. He’s the favorite for good reason and should be in a great position to contend.
Sébastien Ogier (+200)
One of the best WRC drivers in history, Ogier is back for his second event of the 2024 WRC schedule. Last time out in Monte Carlo, Ogier finished second to Neuville. He’s second all-time in WRC event wins with 58. Twenty-one of those wins came on tarmac or mixed tarmac events.
He won this race in 2021 and finished fifth last year. He’s no stranger to winning on the tarmac and should be one of the favorites this weekend.
Elfyn Evans (+225)
Evans enters this weekend six points behind Neuville in the WRC standings. He’s performed slightly better than the Belgian driver so far in 2024, with two podiums and an average finish of third place.
Like Ogier, he’s won this event before, taking first by 27 seconds last season. In 2021, he finished second to Ogier by less than a second. He could break through for his first win of the season this weekend.
Ott Tänak (+375)
Tänak’s return to Hyundai isn’t going well so far. He’s finished in the top five just once, with fourth place in Monte Carlo. Luckily, that could change this weekend in Croatia. Tänak’s finished second in each of the last two Croatia Rally events.
In 2023, he was second to Evans; In 2022, he was just 4.3 seconds behind the winner (Rovanperä). This weekend could be when he bridges the gap to the WRC+ leaders with a great result.
Sleepers for victory
Takamoto Katsuta (+1800)
Katsuta’s fresh off a podium in Kenya after fighting for a win until the latter half of Rally Sweden. The Toyota driver’s been very consistent in Croatia, with sixth-place results in 2021, 2022, and 2023. It’d be a surprise to see him get a win, but it’s undeniable he’s taken things up a notch this season.
Adrien Fourmaux (+2000)
Most WRC fans would’ve been shocked to hear that Fourmaux would have two podiums in the first three rally races and sit third in the WRC standings. Those podiums are the first in his WRC career. A first-career win would be a shock this weekend, but he’s already exceeding expectations.
WRC Croatia Rally Odds: Predictions for this weekend
Croatia signals the start of a seven-rally stretch in Europe. It’s the first full-tarmac event until the final two rounds in Central Europe and Japan. It’s a break from the grueling distance of Kenya and the gravel rounds next on the schedule.
No driver has won multiple events in 2024, which continues this weekend. Neuville may be the favorite but his recent form means Ogier should get his first victory of the season. Neuville and Tänak are our picks to join him on the podium this weekend.
For WRC betting news, WRC odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
Can’t get enough? Here’s more!
- WRC Safari Rally Kenya Odds: Rovanperä Returns
- WRC Rally Sweden Odds: Rovanperä Returns for Lone Snow-Only Event
- WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo Betting Tips: Can anyone catch Sébastien Ogier?
- WRC FORUM8 Rally Japan Odds: Rovanperä Holds Slight Edge in Finale
- Central European Rally Preview: Rovanperä favored for fourth win of 2023
