World Cup Tips: Check out Thommo’s Argentina v Croatia 13/1 Bet Builder

The Liverpool legend gives us the lowdown as Messi takes on Modric.

Argentina v Croatia Betting Tips, Phil Thompson, World Cup, Bet Builder

Argentina v Croatia Bet Builder Tips

Argentina to Win
Both Teams to Score
Lionel Messi to Score Anytime
Over 4.5 Cards

*A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 13/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.

Tuesday, December 13: 19:00 – Argentina v Croatia
TV: BBC1, BBC iPlayer, RTE Two

Argentina needed penalties to get past the Netherlands last Friday last after what was a spirited comeback from the Dutch in the last 10 minutes which forced extra time and penalties. It was a fiery affair with the total cards amounting to 16. Croatia, for their second knockout game in a row, also needed penalties to overcome Brazil after a late equaliser from Bruno Petkovic also sent the tie all the way. Here’s what Thommo fancies in the first Qatar 2022 semi-final…

Argentina to Win

In a nutshell I think Argentina are going to win this and win it over the 90 minutes too. Argentina have been my pick from the start and I think it’s written in the stars for Lionel Messi to lift the World Cup trophy at his final World Cup.

Have Argentina been great? Well, no, not exactly, I think they have another, higher gear available to them but they’ve not found it yet and between now and the final they might just click into it and they’ve certainly been getting better as the tournament has progressed. 

I think it’ll be a tight one, I don’t see too many goals being scored, probably just the three in a 2-1 win for Argentina and while Croatia won’t take it lying down, I don’t think they have enough firepower to get past an Argentina side who have more goals in them.

Both Teams to Score

Croatia are always in there, they’re incredibly dogged and just don’t know when to give up. The spirit in that team is something to behold and it’s always been there since they became a nation. Their midfield of Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic are just outstanding when they play together.

They know the game inside out, how each other play and how the team functions, they’re just one of the best engine rooms in world football.

They’ve going to make a game of it for Argentina, it’ll be very, very tough but I think with Lionel Messi and Julian Alverez up top they’ll be the ones to come out on top. Saying that, Croatia, while they don’t score loads of goals, have plenty of attacking threat when they pounce into the final third of the field and I can’t see them not scoring.

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Lionel Messi to Score Anytime

It’s there in my mind’s eye, I can see Messi lifting the trophy come next Sunday after they beat France in the final. What can we say about this man that hasn’t already been said? He’s just incredible and he’s still going, actually, he’s more than still going, he’s still delivering, he’s scored four goals in the tournament so far and has created another two for his teammates. 

He’s now scored 13 over his last nine games in an Argentina shirt and his odds are pretty high for him to Score Anytime against the Croatians. In such good form we have to add him to our Bet Builder here.

Over 4.5 Cards

It’s going to be meaty isn’t it? Croatia have picked up six Yellow Cards so far while the Argentines have picked up 10 bookings and we really saw the tackles flying in in their previous match against the Dutch, although it must be said the referee was atrocious in that game. Regardless, it’s a World Cup semifinal and it’s all on the line. I can see tempers flaring here as time ticks down and I can certainly see at least five cards being handed out over the 90 minutes.

Argentina v Croatia Betting Tips

Argentina to Win
Both Teams to Score
Lionel Messi to Score Anytime
Over 4.5 Cards

*A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 13/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.

All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

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