World Cup Prediction: Croatia vs Brazil, December 9, 2022
Croatia is the runner-up of the 2018 World Cup, while Brazil is one of the strongest favorites to win it in Qatar in 2022. The two teams will fight for the right to qualify for the semifinals, where they will face the Netherlands or Argentina.
Croatia struggled to escape Japan's challenge in the round of 16. The runner-up in Group F needed a penalty shoot-out to get rid of the Asian representative.
Just like Croatia, Brazil also qualified for the quarterfinals after eliminating Asian representatives, namely South Korea. The Group G winners won 4-1 through goals from Vinicius Junior, Neymar (penalty), Richarlison, and Lucas Paqueta.
Brazil only scored three goals in the group phase, but as soon as they entered the knockout stage, they immediately went crazy. Brazil scored a goal in just one match against South Korea, where they scored all four goals in the first half.
Croatia can be said to have a unique ability based on his recent appearances in the knockout rounds of the World Cup and Euros, namely taking the match to extra time, even on penalties.However, with the quality they have, it is predicted that Brazil will be able to finish their duel later, in 90 minutes.
Estimated starting XI
Croatia (4-3-3): Dominik Livakovic; Borna Sosa; Josko Gvardiol; Dejan Lovren; Josip Juranovic; Mateo Kovacic; Marcelo Brozovic; Luka Modric; Ivan Perisic; Bruno Petkovic; and Andrej Kramaric.
Coach: Zlatko Dalic (Croatia).
Squad info: Josip Stanisic (doubtful).
Brazil (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Danilo; Thiago Silva; Marquinhos; Eder Militao; Casemiro; Lucas Paqueta; Vinicius Junior; Neymar; Raphinha; Richarlison.
Coach: Tite (Brazil).
Squad info: Gabriel Jesu (injured), Alex Telles (injured), Alex Sandro (doubtful).
Head-to-Head
head-to-head meetings: 4Croatia won 0:1.Croatia goals: 2Series: 1Brazil won 3-1.Brazil goals: 7.
The last 4 meetings03/06/2018: Brazil 2-0 Croatia (Friendly)12/06/2014: Brazil 3-1 Croatia (World Cup)13/06/2006: Brazil 1-0 Croatia (World Cup)17/08/2005: Croatia 1-1 Brazil (Friendly).
Croatia Last 5 Matches (W-D-W-D-D)16/11/22: Saudi Arabia 0-1 Croatia (Friendly)23/11/22: Morocco 0-0 Croatia (World Cup)27/11/22: Croatia 4-1 Canada (World Cup)01/12/22: Croatia 0-0 Belgium (World Cup).05/12/22: Japan 1-1 Croatia (World Cup).
Brazil's Last 5 Matches (W-W-W-L-W)28/09/22: Brazil 5-1 Tunisia (Friendly)25/11/22: Brazil 2-0 Serbia (World Cup)28/11/22: Brazil 1-0 Switzerland (World Cup)03/12/22: Cameroon 1-0 Brazil (World Cup)06/12/22: Brazil 4-1 South Korea (World Cup).
Score predictions using statistics
In their last four encounters with Brazil, Croatia has yet to come out on top (W0 D1 L3).
Croatia lost both times it faced Brazil in the World Cup group stages, in 2006 (0-1) and 2014 (1-3).
In its last three encounters with Brazil, Croatia managed only a single goal overall.
In its last nine matches, Croatia has not lost (W6 D4 L0).
In its last five games, Croatia has kept 3 clean sheets.
In its last 11 World Cup games, Croatia has only suffered one loss in the regular season (W4 D6 L1).
Brazil has won 10 of their previous 11 games (W10 D0 L1).
In 8 of the last 11 games, Brazil has always netted at least two goals.
In its last 11 games, Brazil has kept 7 clean sheets.
Brazil has won six of their last eight World Cup games (W6 D0 L2).
In its last 8 World Cup games, Brazil has kept 5 clean sheets.
In Brazil's last two games versus Croatia, it has always been by a score of two goals.
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