Brazil vs Croatia Tips: Betting Odds, Preview & Predictions For This Last 8 Game
Brazil vs Croatia Predictions:
- Draw - 21/10 With William Hill
- Brazil -1.25 Asian Handicap - 91/100 With Bet365
- Both Teams To Score - 6/5 With Unibet
- Richarlison To Score - 7/4 With Bet365
Brazil lived up to their billing as World Cup favourites by thumping South Korea 4-1 in their Round of 16 clash on Monday night.
Betting sites now make them the odds-on favourites to sweep Croatia aside when the teams meet at Education City Stadium in the quarter-finals.
The Samba Boys were rampant against South Korea, blowing the opposition away with four dazzling first-half goals.
The players got the party started by dancing on the sidelines after each goal nestled into the back of the net, and they ultimately celebrated a resounding victory.
“I can’t believe what I’m watching, it’s like watching Strictly,” said an infuriated Roy Keane in the ITV studio at half-time, but Brazilian manager Tite vowed to keep dancing.
Can they keep the party going when they lock horns with Croatia? We have analysed the key betting markets and explained our top tips below.
Will Brazil Advance To The Semi-Finals?
Croatia cannot be taken lightly, as they were runners-up at the last World Cup and they are unbeaten at the current tournament.
However, Zlatko Dalić’s men put in an underwhelming performance in their Round of 16 clash with Japan.
They were outplayed for 90 minutes against Japan, but they were let off the hook by the opposition’s profligacy in front of goal, and Ivan Perisic plundered an equaliser.
Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was the hero in the penalty shootout, which sent his team through to the quarter-finals.
However, it looks as though this could be the end of the road for Croatia’s veterans, who appeared leggy as they toiled against the Japanese.
Talismanic midfielder Luka Modric is now 37 years old, and he may struggle to keep up with the sheer pace and energy of this hungry young Brazilian side.
World Cup betting sites expect Brazil to pick up the win and we are not going to argue with them on that.
Tip: Brazil To Win - 7/20 With William Hill
Brazil Can Take Advantage Of Aging Croatia
In the past, Brazil have been overly reliant on an injury prone Neymar, who is often heavily fouled during big games.
However, that is no longer the case, thanks to the emergence of the “perninhas rapidas” (fast little legs) of Raphinha, Vinicíus Júnior, Gabriel Martinelli, Antony and Rodrygo.
Raphinha and Vinicíus Júnior started either side of Golden Boot contender Richarlison against South Korea, and they ran the opposition ragged.
Having Gabriel Martinelli, Antony and Rodrygo on the bench is a pretty daunting prospect too, as they can come on in the second-half and run at tired legs.
There could well be some tired legs in the Croatia starting XI, as they had to play extra-time against Japan, and a few of their key players - Modric, Perisic and Dejan Lovren - now fall firmly into the veteran category.
A midfield trio of Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic remains a handful for any team, and the Croatians have quality in attack, but the momentum is with this Brazilian side.
Tite was able to rest his entire starting XI for Brazil’s final group stage game, with qualification for the knockout stage already in the bag, and the players now look fresh.
Meanwhile, Croatia had to endure tense battles against Belgium and Japan within a five-day period.
That could ultimately catch up with them in the second-half against Brazil, so back Tite’s men to win this by a two-goal margin on football betting sites.
Tip: Brazil -1.25 Asian Handicap - 91/100 With Bet365
Croatia Could Go Down Swinging
Dalić insisted that his team “shall not surrender” against Brazil and declared that the Croatians will “play our heart out”.
They will put in maximum effort against Brazil, and they will certainly not go down without a fight.
Brazil’s winning margin was ultimately comfortable against South Korea, but they could not keep a clean sheet, and Alisson had to make several smart saves in the second-half.
You can generally rely on the likes of Modric, Perisic and Kovacic to produce the odd moment of magic that unlocks a defence, so it is easy to see Croatia scoring in this game.
If it is to be Modric’s last appearance at a World Cup, he should sign off with a strong performance, and a punt on him scoring at 8/1 with Bet365 looks appealing.
Tip: Both Teams To Score - 6/5 With Unibet
Back Richarlison To Score
Richarlison has led the line with aplomb for Brazil at the World Cup.
The Spurs striker grabbed a brace in the 2-0 opening victory over Serbia, including a goal of the tournament contender.
He was kept quiet against Switzerland and rested against Cameroon, but the Spurs forward returned to the ascendancy against South Korea.
Richarlison won a penalty, which Neymar converted, and he was then on hand to finish off a fine team move to make it 3-0 to Brazil in the 30th minute.
He should enjoy a few chances to add to his tally against South Korea, with Neymar and Co. supplying him with balls into the box, and the odds on him adding to his tally are attractive on betting apps.
Tip: Richarlison To Score - 7/4 With Bet365
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