World Cup 2018 - Semi Final
Wednesday 11th July 2018
Kick off at 7pm BST
Venue: Luzhniki Arena
Match Preview:
Croatia and England will meet in the second semi-final and by the time they play they will know who they will have to face in Sunday’s final.
Croatia will be attempting to reach their first ever World Cup final. They have already replicated what their infamous team did in 1998 in France when they also reached the semi-finals and were just 45 minutes from reaching the final before being beaten by France 2-1.
Croatia have a superb midfield in the likes of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic and up front Mario Mandzukic is a real handful especially during set pieces. The team has impressed with wins over Argentina by 3-0 and have knocked out Denmark and hosts Russia to get here. However neither match was convincing and both needed to be settled by penalties, which could have drained the players energy levels.
England have reached their first semi-final in 28 years and they will be hoping to get to their first final since 1966. Before the World Cup every Englishman would have been delighted with a semi final spot, however with the somewhat kind route they have taken to get there, it could be said that it would have been disappointing had they not reached the semi's.
The team has clearly grown in confidence as the compeition has progressed though, especially since beating Colombia on penalties and sweeping past the tricky Sweden 2-0, and they now have a genuine chance to reach the final, as on paper England are the better side and are ranked 8 positions higher than Croatia by FIFA.
The team has been galvanised by manager Gareth Southgate whose positivity has been there for all to see and spread through the team. Players such as Harry Kane, Harry Maguire, Raheem Sterling and Jesse Lingard have a new found confidence and Kane with his 6 goals so far looks favourite to claim the coveted golden boot.
Croatia vs England Team News:
Croatia: No new major injury concerns or suspensions
England: No new major injury concerns or suspensions
Croatia vs England Head to Head:
The last time the teams met was 10 years ago for qualification to the 2010 World Cup where ten man Croatia lost 4-1.
In the last 3 meetings England has scored 8 goals against Croatia.
Croatia has beaten England which came in 2006 and that match finished 2-0.
There is a 100% success rate in this fixture to see over 1.5 goals.
Croatia vs England Prediction:
Croatia vs England Betting Tips:
England to qualify for the World Cup final at 1.62
Half time correct score: 0-0 at 2.25
Harry Kane to score anytime at 2.25
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