Croatia vs. Belgium Predictions, Betting Tips and Odds
A close contest is likely as World Cup Group F concludes with these Croatia vs. Belgium predictions. The two group favourites face off on match day three with the winner likely to finish top of their group.
Croatia vs. Belgium odds
1 – A draw – 12/5
2 – Under 2.5 goals scored – 4/5
3 – A winning margin of one – 10/3
4 – To finish 1-1 – 6/1
5 – A penalty scored in the game – 11/2
The two pre-tournament Group F favourites face off on Thursday night, with the prize being qualification through to the World Cup knock out rounds. Neither side started the tournament in particularly impressive form and neither manager will want to take any significant risks ahead of the clash at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.
Belgium entered the tournament as favourites to finish top of their group and did manage a win in match day one, but laboured in their victory over Canada. For Croatia, their much-anticipated opener against Tunisia did even less to inspire, as the 2018 World Cup finalists failed to break the deadlock.
But the tables have turned somewhat now and, with so much on the line on Thursday, it would be a surprise to see either side dominate throughout the game and we therefore back a draw. Likewise, with neither side willing to overcommit and risk being exposed defensively, a wager on under 2.5 goals score could well pay off in match day three.
Recent clashes back up the likelihood of a low scoring game with none of the last five meetings between the two sides seeing more than three goals scored. Within those encounters, four out of the five have seen one side win by just one goal, with a bet on this result a likely winner on Thursday as well.
Given the parity between the two sides, it may well take a moment of brilliance from one of the two squad’s superstar players. For Croatia, Luka Modric could well be the man to make the difference. But we back Belgium’s Kevin de Bruyne as the man most likely to score anytime.
Improving his odds, the Red Devil’s number seven is their designated free kick and penalty taker. With the match on a knife-edge, a spot kick may be exactly what it takes to unlock one of the defences.
How to stream Croatia vs. Belgium
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Croatia vs. Belgium last five matches
Croatia last five matches
Belgium last five matches
Croatia top World Cup goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 2 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 |
Belgium top World Cup goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 0 | |
| 0 | |
| 0 | |
| 0 |
Croatia vs. Belgium line-ups
Croatia (4-3-3) Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Vlasic, Kramaic, Perisic
Belgium (3-4-3) Courtois; Dendoncker, Alderwiereld, Vertonghen; Meunier, Tielemans, Witsel, Castagne; De Bruyne, Batshuayi, Hazard
Croatia team news
Few changes are expected from Zlatko Dalic, who has persisted with his 4-3-3 formation throughout the qualifiers. With the defence and midfield likely to remain the same, the only likely changes are up front with Mario Pasalic pushing for a start over Nikola Vlasic.
Belgium team news
Roberto Martinez may field a more defensive line up for Thursday’s game starting with Timothy Castagne over Yannick Carrasco at left wing back. Leandro Trossard may also be in line for a start, although it may be as a false nine in place of Michy Batshuayi, rather than Eden Hazard’s left wing role. Romelu Lukaku may be fit from the bench but is unlikely to start.
Croatia’s opener was against Morocco not Tunisia.
Croatia tied Morocco not Tunisia