Argentina vs. Croatia - Betting tips, predictions, and odds
Argentina and Croatia will play the first semi-final game of the FIFA World Cup when they meet at Lusail Iconic Stadium. Don’t forget to get the best Argentina vs. Croatia betting tips and predictions.
H2H, form, and stats
Argentina and Croatia have met on four occasions so far. Two of those H2Hs came at the World Cup; Argentina won the first in 1998, while Croatia defeated La Albiceleste 3-0 in the group stage four years ago in Russia. They also played a couple of friendlies, and each team recorded a win.
Argentina topped its group with six points, two ahead of Poland after defeating the Poles 2-0 in Round 3. Lionel Scaloni’s side didn't have trouble beating Australia in the Round of 16, even though a 2-1 result doesn’t suggest it. Argentina met the Netherlands in the quarter-finals and dominated the game for 83 minutes as they had a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Nahuel Molina and Lionel Messi.
However, Wout Weghorst scored for Oranje and then equalized in the dying seconds to force extra time. The game went on to a penalty shootout, which Argentina won after Emiliano Martinez registered a pair of saves.
Croatia continued to impress at World Cups and will have a chance to fight for a medal for the second time in a row. Similarly to Russia four years ago, Croatia advanced to the semis after better penalty taking in the Round of 16 and quarterfinals. First, they beat Japan on penalties after 1-1 in regulation and then eliminated the biggest favorite to win the World Cup - Brazil.
Brazil was much better in regulation but failed to score a winner. Still, Brazil opened the spring through Neymar in the final moments of the first extra time, and just when everybody thought it was going to be a 1-0 victory for the Brazilians, Croatia scored from their lone shot on target in the 117th minute. Bruno Petković tied the game and forced a penalty shootout. Once again, Dominik Livaković was fantastic at the goal and saved a pair of penalties to send his team to the semi-finals.
Injuries and squad news
Lionel Scaloni cannot count on suspended defenders Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel. Nicolas Tagliafico will probably get a starting nod at the left-back, while German Pezzella is also in contention for starting XI.
Croatia’s head coach Zlatko Dalić doesn't have any injury or suspension-related concerns as can count on his strongest starting lineup. After scoring a game-tying goal against Brazil, striker Bruno Petković could take Mario Pašalić or Andrej Kramarić’s spot in the starting eleven. The rest of the team should remain unchanged.
Betting predictions and odds
Argentina is a 1.77 favorite to beat Croatia and progress to the final. Croatia currently stands at 5.30 odds, while a draw is 3.32. When it comes to goals, Over 2.5 goals is 2.50 and Under 2.5 goals is 1.50.
Our best tip for Argentina vs. Croatia game
Argentina scored precisely two goals in each of its last four games at the World Cup, following a 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia. Croatia has an excellent midfield and is solid at the back, and although they lack firepower in the attack, Vatreni can find the back of the net against Argentina, who allowed five goals in this tournament so far.
We doubt Croatia can keep the favorites off the scoreboard in regulation, which they managed to do against Brazil. The bookies don’t expect to see plenty of goals in this one, and maybe they’re right, but even if these rivals produce two goals, we believe it’s going to be one on each end.
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Argentina vs. Croatia: Where to watch? Date, hour, and TV schedule
- FIFA World Cup
- Venue: Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail)
- Tuesday, December 13, 2022,
- 8 PM CET
To check the full TV schedule visit https://www.protipster.com/football-live-stream.
