Tournament favorites Brazil will look to take another step toward their first World Cup title since 2002 when they face an experienced Croatian side Friday at Education City Stadium.
The Selecao showed off their best samba soccer in a 4-1 Round of 16 victory over South Korea, with all four goals coming inside the opening 36 minutes.
Neymar slotted home a penalty and added an assist in his return from an ankle injury, which showed no signs of hampering this Brazilian attack moving forward.
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A well-organized Croatian back line should prove more of a challenge for the Brazilians to break down, especially given the form of light-footed center back Joško Gvardiol, who has been among the best defenders in this tournament.
Zlatko Dalić’s side has plenty of experience in these big moments after reaching the World Cup Final four years ago in Russia, and that paid off in their Round of 16 penalty shootout victory over Japan.
Eliminating Brazil will be a tougher task, but this team will have a quiet confidence about it in its underdog role.
Can Croatia pull off the upset? Or will Brazil march on to the Semifinals?
Let's dive into current Croatia vs Brazil betting odds to uncover the best bets and props for this quarterfinal matchup.
Croatia vs Brazil Odds
- 3-Way Handicap: Croatia (+725) | Draw (+400) | Brazil (-275)
- Draw No Bet: Croatia (+525) |Brazil (-1000)
- Over/Under Goals: Over 2.5 (-140) | Under 2.5 (+100)
- Both Teams to Score: Yes (+110) | No (-155)
- To Qualify: Croatia (+400) | Brazil (-650)
Croatia vs Brazil odds are current as of Thursday, Dec.8, from BetMGM Sportsbook unless otherwise noted.
Oddsmakers have installed Brazil as heavy favorites to not only qualify for the next round, but to win this match in regulation.
With the total juiced to the Over and only one team expected to score, bookmakers are expecting this match to be one-way traffic — much like Brazil’s victory over South Korea was in the previous round.
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Croatia vs Brazil Prediction
Croatia 0-2 Brazil AET
I think a bit too much is being made of Brazil’s performance in the previous round.
I’m expecting this to be a much closer contest, as Croatia has proven time and again to be a tough out in any major tournament. Brazil has also lost its last four knockout-round matches against European opposition.
Tite’s side does have a rest advantage after Croatia played 120 minutes in the previous round, but I’m expecting the Brazilian manager to do a bit more coaching than dancing on Friday.
This Croatian squad may be getting up there in age, but the midfield features a world-class talent in Luka Modrić and his partners in the middle of the park, Mateo Kovačić and Marcelo Brozović, aren’t exactly slouches.
That trio will be required to do a lot of defensive work off the ball and Ivan Perišić may end up playing more as a wing-back than an out and out winger, but I think Croatia can hold out for 90 minutes.
Croatia vs Brazil Betting Tips
- These defenses have been among the stingiest in the tournament as both nations have conceded just twice in four matches.
- Seven of the last eight knockout-round matches Croatia has featured in, across both the World Cup and European Championships, have required extra time.
- Brazil scored just three goals across three group stage matches before its four-goal outburst against South Korea.
Croatia vs Brazil Best Bets
➕ Under 2.5 Goals (+100) at BetMGM Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
Getting plus-money odds on the Under feels like great value, especially since this prop only accounts for the first 90 minutes of play.
Goals are typically harder to come by as you advance further in major tournaments, as neither nation will want to make a critical mistake.
While Brazil looked dominant going forward in its last match, there is a massive step up in quality of opposition here. These are also two of the better defensive units in the tournament, so I would be surprised to see three goals scored in regulation.
