Croatia vs England Predictions

The second World Cup 2018 semi-final between Croatia and England takes place at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Wednesday evening in, with the victors going on to face either France or Belgium in the same stadium in Sunday afternoon’s final.

At the outset of World Cup 2018, few observers were tipping either of these teams to still be in the running by this stage, but now they stand 90-minutes away from the most important game in international soccer.

Croatia came through the group stage effortlessly with maximum points, but their path to the last four through the knockout stage has been less straightforward, with draws against both Denmark and Russia necessitating extra-time and penalties.

England also came through the group stage with relative ease and were by far the better team overall against Colombia in the last 16 before conceding a stoppage-time equalizer. However, England came through a penalty shootout (a rare achievement for an England soccer team at an international tournament) and then comfortably saw off Sweden 2-0 at the quarter-final stage.

England go into this game as narrow favourites to prevail, but the Croatian midfield has the potential to dominate this encounter   Players of the calibre of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic could see England coach Gareth Southgate change his line-up to ensure that Jordan Henderson isn’t totally overrun as England’s only real holding midfielder.

Alternatively, England’s attack of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Jesse Lingard and Dele Alli could potentially pose such problems for Croatia, that it could be their coach, Zlatko Dalic, who feels obliged to tinker with his starting line-up.

As with the majority of games in the knockout stage in Russia, this looks likely to be close.  A draw at 90-minutes looks a distinct possibility at 21/10 (3.10) with bet365*.  

The most obvious Correct Score bet to look at would appear to be 1-1, which is on offer at 21/4 (6.25) with Unibet.  Should the game go to a shootout, then the penalty saving record of Danijel Subasic doesn’t make great reading for England fans and the 13/10 (2.30) on Croatia to qualify for the final (by whatever means) could appeal.  

* Note: Odds are correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.