End of the road for Croatia
Croatia take on Brazil to get the World Cup quarter-finals underway on Friday afternoon.
Croatia made their way into the last eight, after progressing from Group F along with Morocco, by beating Japan via a penalty shoot-out.
It was not a convincing performance from the Checkered Ones but their experience showed, with Dejan Lovren and Ivan Perisic combining to level proceedings in the second half.
Brazil sent a statement to the rest of the competition with a 4-1 win over South Korea last time out, Vinicius Junior, Neymar, Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta all got themselves on the scoresheet, with the latter two being particularly aesthetically pleasing goals, they looked sharp.
The Selecao are very short with the market for this one, with an acceptance that Croatia are not quite as dangerous as they were in 2018, but with Josko Gvardiol in the form that he is, they will be a whole lot tougher to break down than South Korea.
Background
There are plenty of reasons for Brazil being so short with the bookmakers, they feel like a sensible bet to win the match in 90 minutes, given the attacking fluency along with defensive solidity they have shown, and, of course, the return of Neymar increasing their attacking threat enormously.
It was a moment of brilliance from Perisic that dug Croatia out of trouble against Japan, planting a header from far out, given the nature of the finish, into the corner, allowing them to shut up shop and take the tie to extra time and beyond.
Bruno Petkovic should be dropped after struggling to affect the game for an hour or so against the Japanese, with Zlatko Dalic having some more impressive options in the squad.
The midfield battle will be fascinating in this encounter, but Brazil have more angles of attack with the pace in behind enabling them to go more direct at times.
Goals?
The unders line is backable here, with Croatia content to sit off and be pragmatic, however, I am looking to gain a bit more leeway with a goals angle by combining it with an outright selection.
Croatia have scored in eight of ten.
Croatia have conceded in five of ten.
Croatia have seen both teams score in five of ten.
Croatia have seen over 2.5 goals in three of ten.
Brazil have scored in nine of ten.
Brazil have conceded in four of ten.
Brazil have seen both teams score in three of ten.
Brazil have seen over 2.5 goals in six of ten.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Croatia come through on penalties yet again.