World Cup Tips: 11/1 pick tops our Croatia v Brazil best bets

Our tipster Shane O'Brien reckons we're in for a tense affair come Friday afternoon

Croatia v Brazil World Cup betting tips

By / Football Tips, World Cup / 2 years ago

Croatia v Brazil Betting Tips

Either Team to Win in Extra Time
Both Teams to Score
#WOP: Ivan Perisic, Richarlison, and Vinicius Jr. 1+ Shots on Target, Each Team 3+ Corners Each, Each Team 1+ Corners 

Brazil have impressed so far in the World Cup but they’ve not faced any teams with the guile and doggedness of Croatia who just don’t know when to give up. It’s going to be quite the contrast in styles when these teams meet on Friday afternoon and it’s quite the task to pick who will come out on top. We’ve piled over the stats and found the three best bets for what will be an intriguing World Cup quarter final.

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Friday, December 9: 3pm – World Cup quarter-final, Croatia v Brazil
TV: ITV, ITVX, RTE Two

Either Team to Win in Extra Time

Brazil were exceptional in their first-half demolition against South Korea but the quality of the opposition must be taken into account here. South Korea were by far the worst team in Group H and only qualified for the knockout stages thanks to a lucky schedule that saw them play Portugal in the last round of fixtures when the Selecao had already qualified. 

That result meant that Brazil were not tested as they would have been by a streetwise Uruguay side and probably come into this quarter-final somewhat undercooked. Croatia, on the other hand, have had to battle their way to the quarter-finals, holding on for a 0-0 draw against Belgium before sneaking past Japan on penalties. 

They will not afford Brazil the same space that South Korea did and will provide them with their first true challenge of the tournament. Croatia do find it hard to beat opponents but they’re not exactly pushovers themselves. In their last eight World Cup games they have won just once in normal time, suffering just one defeat during the same period. 

They have played eight knockout stage games in major tournaments this century. With the exception of their World Cup final defeat to France, all of them have gone to extra time. Curiously, Croatia have won all of their World Cup knockout games apart from the final, while they have lost every knockout game at the Euros. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see this game go to extra time, especially as Brazil have historically struggled to win quarter-finals convincingly. 

They have reached the last eight at every World Cup since USA 1994 and have progressed to the semi-finals on four occasions in that period, never managing to win a quarter-final by more than a goal.

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Both Teams to Score

Judging off history alone, this game is guaranteed to see goals. Croatia have scored in every World Cup knockout game that they have ever played in stretching back to their maiden World Cup appearance in 1998, while seven of Brazil’s last eight World Cup quarter finals have seen both teams finding the back of the net. Only their 1-0 defeat against France in 2006 saw one side drawing a blank. 

Based on this tournament, however, Croatia may struggle against a solid Brazilian defence that didn’t face a single shot on target in their opening two games. Then there’s Alisson in the Brazilian goal, who was superb in Brazil’s 4-1 demolition of South Korea and produced a number of fine saves to snuff out any hope of a Korean comeback. 

However, Brazil conceded chances against South Korea and Croatia will be more clinical if presented with similar opportunities on Friday afternoon and we reckon both sides should at least score one each duing the 90 minutes.

#WOP: Ivan Perisic, Richarlison, and Vinicius Jr. 1+ Shots on Target, Each Team 3+ Corners Each, Each Team 1+ Corners @ 11/1

Ivan Perisic always steps up for his national team. His brilliant header rescued Croatia against Japan, much as his brilliant equaliser turned the tide against England four years ago. Perisic has a goal and two assists to his name at the World Cup and has attempted 2.5 shots per game. He is probably the most likely Croatian to test Alisson on Friday afternoon. 

Richarlison, meanwhile, has proven himself to be Brazil’s talisman at the World Cup, scoring three goals at the tournament so far, including two Goal-of-the-Tournament contenders. The Tottenham forward has averaged 2.3 shots per game at the World Cup and will surely land at least one attempt on target against Dominik Livakovic between the Croatian sticks. 

Also boasting one goal and two assists and an average of 2.3 shots per game, Vinicius Jr. has been exceptional at the World Cup on Brazil’s left wing. If Brazil lay siege to Croatia’s goal, it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see him landing a shot on Livakovic. 

Croatia have won 17 corners at the World Cup at an average of just over four per game, while Brazil have won 30 at a rate of 7.5 per game. Brazil have also conceded 14 corners at the World Cup so far, meaning there is an excellent chance of both teams managing at least three corners apiece on Friday. 

In terms of cards, Croatia have received four yellow cards at the tournament so far at a rate of one per game but they are likely to see that rate increase significantly against such a tricky Brazilian outfit. Brazils’ opponents have received eight yellow cards at a rate of two per game, while Brazil themselves have received three cards at the tournament so far. 

They have a good chance of picking up at least one against a Croatian side that has drawn four yellow cards at the World Cup so far.

Croatia v Brazil Tips

Either Team to Win in Extra Time
Both Teams to Score
#WOP: Ivan Perisic, Richarlison, and Vinicius Jr. 1+ Shots on Target, Each Team 3+ Corners Each, Each Team 1+ Corners

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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