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Russia-Croatia-FIFA World Cup 1/4 Finals 2018 Top FREE Predictions

MATSPORTS

RUSSIA

              VS

croatia-national-football-team-logo

CROATIA

                                               7th July 2018  OLIMPIYSKIY STADION FISHT

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RUSSIA

Sbornaya was the team with the lowest rank in FIFA before the start of the tournament. They proved that these number cannot measure their true potential. They were one of the first team to qualify for the knock out stage after 2 wins against Saudi Arabia and Egypt(5-0 and 3-1). Against Uruguay, they were totally outplayed and lost with 3-0 and finished the group second. The match against Spain was one of the most dramatic games in the tournament- after scoring an own goal, Sbornaya put themselves together and strike back. The penalty was a fair call and Dzyba with his deadly shot brought them back to life. In the extra time, they showed amazing defence and put La Furia in a desperate situation- after more than a 1000 passes made in the whole game they still couldn't find a way to score a goal. The penalties were the culmination of the night.  The Russian captain- Akinfeev showed De Gea how it is done! With two saves he became the hero of the whole nation. Even their own fans did not expect anything from the team but they have surpassed all expectations to reach the quarter-final of the tournament for the first time since playing as Russia in 1994.

 

CROATIA

After winning their group with 3 wins(for the first time in their history) Croatia had a very tough opponent in the 1/8 Finals. Denmark managed to hold them for the whole game and even Schmeichel saved a penalty 5 minutes before the end. In the lottery called "Penalties" Croatia showed more nerves and Ivan Rakitic scored the winner. Denmark defence managed to stop one of the best middle field lines in the tournament but they had no luck in the last part of the match. Now Croatia is looking for another historical performance after the one in 1998 in France when they reached the semifinals. They are the favourite in the match against Russia but if they let their guard down they will be in huge trouble. The whole Croatian team will be available for the match, only the left-back Ivan Strinic has problems after the last game but he is expected to start as well. "The Vatreni" are unbeaten in 3 matches against Russia in all competitions. Russia, meanwhile, will enter the quarter-finals without a clean sheet in their last three outings. 

 

PREDICTION

Croatia will not repeat the mistake that Spain did. They saw what will happen if they are just passing the ball around the box and try to find an empty space to shot. The two genius in the middle- Modric and Rakitic will find a way to create a scoring opportunity for Madzukic or Perisic, and Rebic who is probably one of the most impressive players in the team, with his unlimited strength and amazing speed, will put the ball in the net. Russia will answer with strong attacks and in the middle of them will be Dzyuba- the big Russian who cannot be stopped! Semedov, Golovin and Cheryshev will try to put as much pressure and hope that Lovren and Vida will make mistake and let Dzyba on a clean position to score. It is very possible for both teams to score in this game and who knows maybe we will see another game in which the winner will be decided in the extra time. Croatia has a better side on paper, but Russia has already shown that counts for nothing. We expect another huge battle between two teams that may suffer from fatigue in the second half.

 

Croatia to win (3 points at 2.2) 

Both teams to score (2 points at  2.2)

Over 2.5 goals (2 points at 2.9)

Total attempts on target Artem Dzyba over 0.5 (1 point at 1.75)

Ante Rebic to score a goal (1 point at 4.5)

Ante Rebic man of the match (1 point at 12)

Correct score: 1-2 (1 point at 11)

 

ENJOY THE GAME!

GOOD LUCK!