2022 FIFA World Cup
Friday 9th December 2022
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: Education City Stadium
Match Preview:
The first quarter final of the 2022 World Cup will see Croatia take on Brazil and it will be the Brazilians who will be the favourites to make it to the semi-finals.
Croatia have done well to get this far and let’s not forget of course that they reached the World Cup final in 2018 losing out to France in a game that finished 4-2. While at the very end Croatia just came up short they are a quality side and are now showing consistency in the world game. However many also believe that this competition could be their last chance with this generation of players to win something. The key players such as Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic are well into their 30s. The brilliant Modric is 37 and a generation ago he wouldn’t even have been picked at that age, times and sports science have evolved and these players are having good tournaments still.
Croatia got to the quarters by beating Japan on penalties. They had gone a goal down but clawed their way back to 1-1 and then were fortunate in the penalty shoot-out that the Japanese lost their nerve and took many poor spot kicks. In truth had Japan beaten Croatia it would have been seen as a surprise but the game was very even and perhaps Croatia are fortunate to be here.
Brazil added some football magic in their last 16 match as they beat South Korea 4-1 with all four goals coming in the second half. One was a penalty but the other three belonged in amongst some of the best goals that Brazil have scored at a World Cup. Tite’s side look very confident and that is a clear danger to any opponent. Players are literally getting better for them as this tournament goes on for example Richarlison has been spectacular. Could one even see him playing for Tottenham had he not already be plying his trade in the Premier League? Brazil at this time are justifying their pre World Cup favourite tags and it is hard to see who is going to stop them.
Team News:
Croatia: Borna Sosa is being tipped to return after he missed the Japan game due to illness. Josip Stanisic though has a muscle injury and remains a doubt although he will be assessed.
Brazil: Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles are ruled out for the remainder of the competition as they have both suffered with knee injuries. Alex Sandro has a hip problem and while he won’t start in this one he will be assessed.
Croatia vs Brazil Head to Head:
The sides have only played each other 4 times and Croatia are yet to win.
The last meeting took place in 2018 just before the World Cup in a friendly and Brazil won 2-0.
There is a 75% chance to see under 2.5 goals.
Croatia vs Brazil Prediction:
It’s important to note that they may well be some nervous players on the pitch given that Croatia’s Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Dejan Lovren would miss a potential semi-final spot if they are booked. For Brazil Eder Militao, Fred and Bruno Guimarares are in the same situation although out of the three only Militao is expected to start.
Past games have in general been close between the nations but if we judge the teams on what we have seen in the past two weeks Brazil should be able to come through this and make it to the last four. Croatia are a strong solid side who will be tactical and bide their time and try to frustrate their opponents. But the big problem they have is that they are playing with some fear which felt evident against Japan who had they had better finishers would have won that game and there would have been no need at all for penalties. Croatia are about to come up not just against Brazil but a very pacey version of Brazil who are high on confidence and we see no problem here with them winning this game and they should be able to score a few goals too.
However Brazil’s price will put off a lot of punters as they are hovering at around 1.33 and Croatia can be backed at 10.00 but the bookies are taking no chances, so let’s look into different markets.
Croatia vs Brazil Betting Tips:
Half Time: Brazil to win at 1.72
Anytime goalscorer: Neymar at 2.10
Anytime goalscorer: Vinicus Junior at 3.00
Half Time: Correct Score: Brazil to be winning 1-0 at 3.25
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