Croatia vs Brazil - World Cup quarter-final: Team news, lineups & prediction
Croatia go up against Brazil on Friday afternoon in a meeting between two teams that delivered contrasting displays to make it into the World Cup quarter-finals.
While Croatia laboured through 120 minutes and penalties to squeak past Japan, Brazil's second-round match against South Korea was over as a contest after 12 minutes, eventually rattling in four audacious first-half goals.
Here's everything you need to know about the first quarter-final in Qatar.
Where are Croatia vs Brazil playing?
- Location: Doha, Qatar
- Stadium: Education City Stadium
- Date: Friday 9 December
- Kick-off Time: 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
Croatia vs Brazil H2H Results (All Time)
- Croatia: 0 Wins
- Brazil: 3 Wins
- Draws: 1
Current Form (Last Five Games)
- Croatia: WDWDW
- Brazil: WWWLW
Croatia team news
Croatia were missing two options at fullback against Japan. Josip Stanisic is yet to make an appearance in Qatar but didn't make the bench for the round of 16 tie while nursing a muscular issue.
Borna Sosa was a more notable absentee. The illness suffered by the marauding left-back robbed Croatia of a key attacking influence and he is a doubt going forward.
Croatia predicted lineup vs Brazil
Croatia Starting 11 (4-3-3): Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Barisic; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Kramaric, Livaja, Perisic.
Bench: Grbic, Ivusic, Erlic, Vida, Sutalo, Sosa, Jakic, Sucic, Majer, Osric, Pasalic, Petkovic, Budimir, Vlasic.
Brazil team news
Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles have already been ruled out for the rest of the competition. 90min understands that the Arsenal striker could be sidelined with a knee injury for several months.
Alex Sandro has been struggling with a hip problem since the narrow victory over Switzerland but his club-mate Danilo is an able deputy.
Brazil predicted lineup vs Croatia
Brazil Starting 11 (4-3-3): Alisson; Militao, Marquinhos, Silva, Danilo; Paqueta, Casemiro, Neymar; Raphinha, Richarlison, Vinicius.
Bench: Weverton, Ederson, Bremer, Alves, Fabinho, Guimaraes, Fred, Everton, Martinelli, Antony, Rodrygo, Pedro.
Croatia vs Brazil betting tips
Team to win/progress
Brazil to win to nil – Brazil have won 10 of their last 11 games in all competitions, with seven of those victories coming to nil.
Brazil to win by exactly two goals – Four of Croatia’s last six defeats at major tournaments (World Cup/EUROs) have come by exactly two goals, including each of their last three loses at the World Cup.
Goalless AET – Two of Croatia’s four games at the 2022 World Cup have finished 0-0, while only England (12) have played out more goalless draws than Brazil (9) in World Cup history.
Croatia to win – Brazil have lost each of their last five World Cup knockout stage games against European nations, including three quarter-final ties in that run.
Croatia to win is currently 8/1*
Extra-time & Croatia to win via penalties – Seven of Croatia's last eight knockout stage games at major tournaments (World Cup and Euro) have gone to extra time, progressing from all four such games at the World Cup, three via penalty shootouts.
Goals & Cards
Brazil to score first – Croatia have conceded the first goal in six of their last eight World Cup matches (the other two finishing goalless), while Brazil have opened the scoring in seven of their last nine games at the tournament.
Under 2.5 total match goals – There have been under 2.5 goals in four of Croatia’s last five games in all competitions and in three of Brazil’s four games at this year’s World Cup.
Brazil over 3.5 goals – Brazil have scored 4+ goals in six of their last 11 games in all competitions.
Brazil to score over 3.5 goals is currently 4/1*
Richarlison to score & have exactly two shots on target – Richarlison has scored 10 goals in nine appearances for Brazil in 2022, registering exactly two shots on target in seven of those nine matches.
Ivan Perisic to score or assist – Ivan Perisic has been involved in 10 goals in his last 13 appearances at the World Cup (6 goals, 4 assists).
Neymar to score a penalty in normal time – Each of Neymar’s last six goals for Brazil have come from the penalty spot.
Raphinha to score or assist – No player has had more shots (8) or created more chances (8) for Brazil at the 2022 World Cup than Raphinha, though he's yet to score or assist a goal at the tournament so far.
Croatia 2+ cards – Brazil’s opponents have been shown 2+ cards in 19 of their last 22 games, while Neymar has been fouled 12 times in just two appearances at this year’s World Cup (fouled every 13 minutes on average).
Insights courtesy of Opta. Head to The Analyst Stats Hub for live group stage standings, top scores, match metrics, team stats and much more!
*Odds correct at time of publication. 18+. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org
Croatia vs Brazil score prediction
Zlatko Dalic was full of praise for the "terrifying" Brazil, lauding Tite's side as "the most powerful and best team in this World Cup".
However, he has a plan. Copy Switzerland. "Switzerland had the best tactics and opposed Brazil the best," Dalic argued. "We have to copy the model of Switzerland.” Brazil may have won that group-stage encounter but it took a sumptuous strike from Casemiro to break Switzerland's resolve after 83 solid minutes of resistance.
Croatia are arguably better on the ball than their Swiss benchmark but Brazil clicked into a menacing gear against South Korea, combining to devastating effect with a frontline that once again includes Neymar.
It would be a gross underestimation of Croatia's evident grit to suggest that they will wilt before Brazil's flicks and tricks. However, this Brazil side should have enough to overpower a dogged (and dog-tired) Croatia.
Prediction: Croatia 0-2 Brazil
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