World Cup 2022: Croatia v Belgium Betting Preview & Odds
World Cup Qatar 2022 Croatia v Belgium. The 2018 runners-up, Croatia, and the third-placed team, Belgium, battle at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium to determine who qualifies for the knock-out phase. Belgium needs a win or will be eliminated if Morocco gets anything in their match against Canada. Join us as we assess both teams and highlight the players to watch. We also make predictions in the popular Over / Under goals market and our final score prediction.
The Qatar World Cup has been full of surprises and upsets; we expect this encounter to be a thriller between two semi-finalists in the 2018 edition, Croatia and Belgium, promising to be classic as a win guarantees qualification to the knock-out phase. Croatia started the tournament slowly with a goalless draw against Morocco but was ruthless in the second, coming from a goal down to win against Canada (4 – 1).
The World number two team, Belgium, suffered a massive shock to Morocco, losing 2 – 0 to put their qualification on hold and determined by the final match. An ageing squad with players out of form puts their manager, Roberto Martinez, in a tough spot, choosing between the new on-form talent and his old guard.
A draw will be a poor result as it would mean Morocco has to lose by three goals for Belgium to qualify; thus, this is a must-win for them to keep their fate in their own hands.
We have all the details concerning the match.
Croatia Vs Belgium Betting Odds and Markets
The most popular markets are the full-time result or the over/under. See the latest odds-on offer in the tables below.
| Match Result Betting | ||
|---|---|---|
| Croatia Win | Draw | Belgium Win |
| 13/8 | 12/5 | 13/8 |
Belgium has a superior squad on paper, which is why the bookies have set their odds at 13/8, while Croatia, with a perfect blend of experience and youth, so bet365 also price them at 13/8. A draw is set for 27/11.
Croatia has recorded five consecutive wins in the last six; Saudi Arabia (1 – 0), Austria (3 – 1), Denmark (1 – 0) (2 – 1), and France (1 – 0). In addition, they drew Morocco (0 – 0) and won against Canada (4 – 1).
Belgium has lost the last two games before the World Cup; Egypt (2 – 1) and Netherlands (1 – 0). They were unbeaten in four games before that, winning three; Wales (2 – 1), Poland (1 – 0) (6 – 1), and drawing once Wales (1 – 1). They started their World Cup campaign well with a win against Canada (1 – 0) but lost to Morocco (2 – 0).
Over/Under Market
| Match Result Betting | |
|---|---|
| Over 2.5 Goals | Under 2.5 Goals |
| 1/1 | 4/5 |
Just one (Croatia 4 – 1 Canada) of the games played by the two sides in the World Cup has produced Over 2.5 goals. However, the nerves in the games make the Over 2.5 (1/1) market unlikely, with the Under 2.5 (4/5) a possible scenario in a game likely to be won by one goal.
Player(s) to watch – Croatia
Andrej Kramaric scored twice in their 4 – 1 win against Canada. The maestro has five goal involvements (three goals, two assists) in fourteen appearances this season. He gives Croatia the direct approach by taking on defenders through the centre and taking chances head-on.
Andrej Kramaric’s game by numbers vs. Canada:
100% dribbles completed 87% pass accuracy 42 touches 2/3 ground duels won 3 shots on target 2 goals
Gets himself on the scoresheet twice. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/WRYzBIdaEw
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 27, 2022
Player(s) to watch – Belgium
Romelu Lukaku is Belgium’s all-time leading goals scorer with sixty-eight goals, and his four goals in the 2018 edition made him the highest goal scorer in a single World Cup edition. Unfortunately, he has battled a hamstring injury and managed just ten minutes in the defeat to Morocco. However, he should be ready to start against Croatia when his sides could use inspiration in front of the goal. However, rumours are growing about a dressing room bust-up with the striker with Michy Batshuayi.
🚨 The harmony in the Belgian squad is completely broken between several players. 😳
Thibaut Courtois and Kevin De Bruyne no longer speak to each other. And it’s the same for Eden Hazard with Leandro Trossard and Romelu Lukaku with Michy Batshuayi! 😬
(Source: @rtlinfo ) pic.twitter.com/rMP2uM3ITr
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) November 29, 2022
Match Prediction: Croatia 1 – 0 Belgium
The stakes are high as whoever wins proceeds to the next phase; thus, we predict that this game will be decided with a single goal. We favour the 2018 finalist Croatia to win as they have experienced players such as Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic on form, unlike Belgians Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku, who are struggling for fitness and form and a lack of unity.
Croatia Vs Belgium, Group F, Ahmed bin Ali Stadium. Kick-off is at 3 pm (UK time).
Croatia Squad:
Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivica Ivusic (NK Osijek), Ivo Grbic (Atletico Madrid).
Defenders: Domagoj Vida (AEK Athens), Dejan Lovren (Zenit St Petersburg), Borna Barisic (Rangers), Josip Juranovic (Celtic), Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig), Borna Sosa (VfB Stuttgart), Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Martin Erlic (Sassuolo), Josip Sutalo (Dinamo Zagreb).
Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea), Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Lovro Majer (Stade Rennais), Kristijan Jakic (Eintracht Frankfurt), Luka Sucic (Salzburg).
Forwards: Ivan Perisic (Tottenham Hotspur), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Bruno Petkovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Mislav Orsic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marko Livaja (Hajduk Split).
Belgium Squad:
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge), Koen Casteels (VfL Wolfsburg). Defenders: Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Toby Alderweireld (Royal Antwerp), Leander Dendoncker (Aston Villa), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Arthur Theate (Rennes), Wout Faes (Leicester City).
Midfielders: Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid), Youri Tielemans (Leicester City), Amadou Onana (Everton), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund), Timothy Castagne (Leicester City), Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund).
Forwards: Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan), Michy Batshuayi (Fenerbahce), Lois Openda (Racing Lens), Charles De Ketelaere (AC Milan), Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Jeremy Doku (Rennes), Dries Mertens (Galatasaray), Leandro Trossard (Brighton & Hove Albion).
You can learn more about placing World Cup bets on our World Cup betting page. In addition, our World Cup fixtures page will bring you all the latest match previews and betting tips.
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