The World Cup Quarter-Finals gets going on Friday with two cracking matches featuring Croatia against Brazil and Netherlands against Argentina. We take a look at both games from a betting angle.
Let’s start with a look at the Outright Betting which sees Brazil trading as favourites at 7/4 ahead of France at 9/2, Portugal are 6/1, England 13/2 alongside Argentina and you can get 16/1 and better the balance.
Click here for updated betting on all long-term markets
CROATIA v BRAZIL
CROATIA
Croatia came from behind to beat Japan on penalties in their last 16 encounter. The 90 minute draw was a popular pick with many punters at a price of 9/4 before kick-off. Croatia were undefeated in their group, beating Canada 4/1 and playing out goalless draws against Belgium and Morocco.
BRAZIL
Brazil booked their spot in the last 16 early with wins over Switzerland and Serbia before losing their final group match to Cameroon. They were in excellent form in their last 16 game blowing aside the Republic of Korea 4-1 with all 4 of the Brazilian goals coming in the first-half.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
These sides last met in a friendly International in 2018 with Brazil winning 2-0 and in the World Cup 2014, Brazil won 3-1.
BETTING – Click here for betting
Croatia 17/2
Draw 4/1
Brazil 37/100
Suggested Bet: Croatia Total Goals under 0.5 at 8/10
Croatia haven’t looked particularly sharp on attack and they run into a Brazilian side that has a great defence. I think this could be a cagey affair in the early stages and I am betting that Croatia don’t get on the score sheet in the 90 minutes.
NETHERLANDS v ARGENTINA
NETHERLANDS
The Netherlands came through their group undefeated with victories over Senegal and Qatar and a 1-1 draw with Ecuador. They were too strong for the USA in their last 16 match winning 3-1 with the damage been done in the first-half with two goals including one in injury time. The USA did pull a goal back in the 76th minute, but the game was put to bed in the 81st with the Netherlands third goal.
ARGENTINA
Argentina’s World Cup campaign got off to a shaky start with a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia. They bounced back though with successive victories over Mexico and Poland and were too strong for Australia in the round of 16 winning 2-1. They looked to be cruising towards the win when they scored their second goal in the 57th minute, but Australia hit back in the 77th to ensure a nervous ending to the match.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
These sides last met in the World Cup in 2014 where Argentina won on penalties after the game finished goalless in normal time.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Netherlands 26/10
Draw 22/10
Argentina 5/4
Suggested Bet: The draw at 22/10
I don’t think there is going to be much between these sides and the last two meetings they have had in the World Cup there hasn’t been goals scored and I expect we could be in for something similar.
You can get 6/1 that the 90 minutes score will be 0-0, but I prefer the more conservative option of the draw at 22/10.
Click here for betting on all of the World Cup Matches
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
