- What: Croatia vs. Brazil, 2022 FIFA World Cup - Quarterfinals
- When: Friday, December 9, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. EST
- Where: Education City Stadium in Qatar
- How to watch: Peacock (ESP), Fox Sports (EN), Telemundo
The 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals stage is set, with the final eight teams in the competition vying for their place in the semifinals. After a win over Japan in the knockout stages, Croatia is set to take on Brazil in the World Cup quarterfinals. Brazil clinched their spot among the final eight teams via a 4-1 win over South Korea in the round of 16. The World Cup action continues on Friday, and we're going to make some Croatia vs. Brazil picks.
Before we take a look at some Croatia vs. Brazil World Cup betting picks for the quarterfinal round, make sure to take a look at our soccer betting guide in order to get all the tips and tricks you need. Additionally, take a look at our useful World Cup betting guide which has plenty of information.
Croatia vs. Brazil Odds
Heading into the first quarterfinals matchup of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Croatia is a massive underdog against Brazil. Croatia (+775) is not expected to put up much of a fight against Brazil (-280), and even a draw (+400) is considered unlikely. The spread indicates Brazil should win the game by 1-2 goals, while the total is set for 2.5 goals leaning toward the over.
Croatia Best Bets
While Croatia is the 2018 World Cup runners-up, their path to the finals in 2022 will be made more difficult by a matchup with Brazil. After scraping by in a penalty shootout against Japan, Croatia will need to be vastly better if they hope to stand any chance against Brazil, particularly on offense. Croatia has just five goals throughout its first four games at the World Cup, and that includes a 4-1 win over Canada. In its other three games, Croatia has just one goal.
That won't suffice against a Brazil team that has only been held goalless one time at the World Cup, and that was after they'd secured their place in the knockout stages. Croatia's defense has been excellent, but they have yet to face as daunting a task as they will against Brazil. With Neymar back in action and very in form right now, Croatia's defense will have to be at its best in order to keep their opponents' dancing to a minimum.
With just two goals conceded throughout the tournament, Croatia has one of the best defensive records at the World Cup. But can they do it against a top offense? Croatia has faced off with Morocco, Canada, Belgium, and Japan. None of those offenses come close to that of Brazil's, so the stalwart Croatian back-line will be put to the test on Friday.
I'm expecting Croatia to try and do everything in their power to keep this a low-scoring game on Friday. Defense has gotten them this far in the tournament and they'll be relying further upon it if they want to take down Brazil, who will be feeling confident after a 4-1 win of their own. The first pick for this game is Croatia vs. Brazil Total Goals Under 2.5 (+105).
Brazil Best Bets
Brazil looks like a real World Cup contender right now, having brushed past South Korea without a hitch in order to cruise into the quarterfinals. Now, a matchup with Luka Modric and Croatia awaits, and Brazil should be feeling confident in their ability to advance to the next stage of play.
With seven goals for and just two goals against at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Brazil has been one of the tournament's best teams on both ends of the pitch. Led by their lethal attack consisting of the likes of Neymar, Vinicius Junior, and Richarlison, among other lethal bench options, the Brazilian offense figures to keep the Croatian defense's hands full. Richarlison leads the team with three goals in four games and will be eager to add to his tally in Qatar on Friday.
Croatia and Brazil have faced off three times since 2006, with all three matches going in favor of the latter. In those three matches, Brazil has outscored Croatia 6-1. Two of those three games were shutout victories for Brazil, and with the way the team is playing lately, I'm expecting a similar result on Friday. Croatia is lacking a clinical finisher in front of the goal, and it seems like that's precisely what they'll need in order to beat Brazil.
As previously mentioned Croatia has scored just one goal outside of their 4-1 beatdown of Canada. Their lack of success in the attacking third could very well be their undoing in the quarterfinals against Brazil. With Croatia struggling for goals, I'm expecting Brazil's defense to step up and keep them off the scoresheet entirely. The pick for this game is Brazil to record a shutout win (+105).
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