World Cup 2022: Croatia Vs Canada Betting Preview & Odds
World Cup Qatar 2022 Croatia v Canada. Croatia plays Canada in their second group game at the Khalifa International Stadium. Croatia drew 0-0 with Morocco in their first match and will be looking to get on the scoresheet in this game. Canada was unlucky in their narrow 1-0 defeat against Belgium. Canada had the lion’s share of the chances and missed a penalty. 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.
It will be a battle between experience against youth in the David Vs Goliath encounter. Croatia was just one win shy of glory in the previous edition and is just not done yet, hoping to go the extra step with their strong midfield presence led by Luka Modric and the leadership of Zlatko Dalic. Furthermore, they will be evenly motivated by their incredible run, reaching the finals of the UEFA Nations League after topping their Group A1.
Canada returned to the world’s biggest stage for the first time since 1986 after an impressive qualification campaign that saw them top their group. John Herdman’s side is not to be underestimated, as they have some bright, young, and energetic sparks in the team that can torment the Croatians with the pace to try to disappoint the finalists. However, Canada deserved more than their defeat on matchday one and needs to bounce back.
Croatia Vs Canada 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 | Canada Win |
| 11/10 | 12/5 | 13/5 |
The 2018 World Cup finalists are favourites, with bet365 offering 11/10. The draw is set at 12/5. The bookies feel Canada will struggle and have them at 13/5. set at 7/2.
Croatia has recorded five consecutive wins in the last six pre-World Cup; Saudi Arabia (1 – 0), Austria (3 – 1), Denmark (1 – 0) (2 – 1), and France (1 – 0). They drew against France (1 – 1) and lost to Croatia (3 – 0) in the other two. It was a 0-0 stalemate in their first game against Morocco.
Canada has been inconsistent in their performances, not recording consistent results in the last nine games. They have three wins; Japan (2 – 1), Qatar (2 – 0), and Curacao (4 – 0); two defeats; Uruguay (2 – 0) and Honduras (2 – 1), and one draw Bahrain (2 – 2). They also lost their first World Cup game 1-0 to Belgium.
Over/Under Market
| Match Result Betting | |
|---|---|
| Over 2.5 Goals | Under 2.5 Goals |
| 11/10 | 8/11 |
Croatia has seen three of their last six games record three or more goals against Canada’s four in the previous six before the World Cup. However, both teams had under 2.5 goals in their first match.
Player(s) to watch – Croatia
Ivan Perisic has had the highest goal contribution for the young nation at a major tournament with fourteen, ironically similar to his favourite jersey number. The thirty-three-year-old scored three in the 2018 edition, including in the final, and twice in Euro 2020. The former Inter Milan and Bayern star moved to Tottenham and has been one of their most prolific attacking options storming in from the left.
Dejan Lovren was the player of the match in Croatia’s draw with Morocco. The 33-year-old may be reaching the end of his career, but he showed he still has plenty to offer. He won three ariel battles and had a successful passing rate of 90%.
Player(s) to watch – Canada
The World Cup is an avenue for clubs to scout for promising stars, and one player likely to catch the eye is Lille’s, Jonathan David. The twenty-two-year-old has racked up twelve goal involvements (nine goals, three assists) in fifteen league games. The maestro is the second-highest goal scorer in his nation, with twenty-two goals in thirty-four appearances. He has all the ingredients to hurt the Croatian defence.
He didn’t have the best of games in the 1-0 defeat to Belgium, his match rating of 5.61 was the lowest in the side, but he still managed seven shots on goal. At only 22, he has plenty of time to realise his obvious talent.
Jonathan David: “It was an honour to come up against one of my favourite players ever, he’s had a tough few years but there’s no doubt class is permanent.”
Hazard will always have the streets. Every young ballers favourite player! pic.twitter.com/YsBeSC8plk
— E. Hazard Tweets (@EHazardTweets) November 23, 2022
Match Prediction: Croatia 1 – 0 Canada
One interesting factor about this game is how the inexperienced Canadian and experienced Croatian sides will battle on the highest stage of international football. It will be pace and energy against composure and a strong mentality. We, however, predict a 1 – 0 win for Croatia.
Croatia Vs Canada, Group F, Khalifa International Stadium. Kick-off is at 4 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).
Canada Squad:
Goalkeepers: Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United), James Pantemis (Montreal), Milan Borjan (Red Star Belgrade).
Defenders: Alistair Johnston (Montreal), Steven Vitoria (Chaves), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Sam Adekugbe (Hatayspor), Kamal Miller (Montreal), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Derek Cornelius (Panetolikos), Joel Waterman (Montreal).
Midfielders: Samuel Piette (Montreal), Stephen Eustaquio (Porto), Liam Fraser (Deinze), Atiba Hutchinson (Besiktas), Mark-Anthony Kaye (Toronto FC), Ismael Kone (Montreal), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC), David Whotherspoon (St Johnstone).
Forwards: Lucas Cavallini (Vancouver Whitecaps), Junior Hoilett (Reading), Tajon Buchanan (Club Brugge), Ike Ugbo (Troyes), Cyle Larin (Club Brugge), Jonathan David (Lille), Liam Millar (Basel).
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.
