Few and Far Between
If you forced me to choose a result for the semi-final match up between Croatia and England I’d have to say a straight up draw. The two fairly evenly matched sides meet up tomorrow night in Moscow, and both sides have similar strengths and weaknesses.
It’s difficult to see how either team will score even more than one goal apiece, and it's likely that the match will end up going into extra time.
3 out of 4 matches have gone into extra time if we put together both Croatia and England’s knockout phase games. Neither side has so much experience this deep into a World Cup, and it’s shaping up to be a nervy affair. Both sides will try not to risk much and nobody wants to be responsible for any costworthy and fatal mistakes.
Both countries’ offensive players are struggling to find form
As long as the game stays goalless, it’s going to be more important to not let in chances, rather than to risk pushing forward too boldly to create chances to score.
England, likewise Croatia have both displayed defensive stability during the tournament. England manager Gareth Southgate has hit a home run with his back three of Maguire, Walker and Stones. Likewise, Croatia’s Vida and Lovren are in the form of their lives.
Quite the opposite but both countries’ offensive players are struggling to find form. For the most part of the tournament Mandzukic, Perisic and Kramaric have looked lost. Similarly England’s attackers haven’t exactly been smashing in the goals either.
Match Tips
I have a feeling it’s going to be quite a tough, drawn out affair with few chances on goal. Don’t be surprised if it goes to extra time and penalties to finish off this semi-final.
That’s why I’m going with a draw in ordinary time for solid odds of 21/10 (3.10) with Bethard.
