Wednesday World Cup Preview and Odds – Croatia vs. England

July 11, 2018 17:00pm – Luzhniki Stadium

Recent Form (All comps)

Croatia: DDWWW

England: WDLWW

Few would have predicted Croatia would be playing England for a place in the World Cup final a few weeks ago but this tournament has produced surprises at every turn.

The two lowest-ranked teams left in the tournament will meet in Moscow on Wednesday with Croatia playing in their first semi-final since 1998 and England their first since 1990.

After impressing in the group stages, Croatia have made hard work of their knockout games requiring penalties to get past Denmark in the round of 16 and Russia in Saturday’s quarter-final. That pair of epic encounters could take its toll as they face a confident England team in the last four.

England played their quarter-final against Sweden a few hours earlier and got the job done in 90 minutes. The game was less demanding physically and mentally than Croatia’s battle against the hosts and Gareth Southgate’s men should come into this game feeling fresh and full of confidence.

Early nerves were calmed when Harry Maguire put the Three Lions ahead after 30 minutes and from that point on, the result never looked in doubt despite a couple of good chances for the opposition. Jordan Pickford was more than a match for Sweden’s strike force, putting in another fine performance and claiming a first clean sheet of the competition.

Both teams covet possession and like to get the ball down and play, so we could be in for a classic. But England’s prowess at set pieces, which has reaped five goals so far, could also come into play.

Croatia predicted starting XI:

Subasic, Corluka, Lovren, Vida, Strinic, Modric, Rakitic, Rebic, Kramaric, Perisic, Mandzukic

England predicted starting XI:

Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier, Young, Henderson, Alli, Lingard, Sterling, Kane

Prediction

Croatia have toiled their way to this stage, rarely dominating in either of their knockout games. In contrast, England bettered Colombia and Sweden in the last two rounds and will arrive here fresher having wrapped up their game against the Swedes in 90 minutes. Harry Kane will be keen to keep his Golden Boot quest on track and will be favourite to get on the score sheet.

In conclusion, England should progress to the final with Harry Kane scoring at some point in the game.

You can back England to qualify at 13/20 and Harry Kane to score anytime at 11/8 with Betfair

Leave a Reply