The Stats Zone
December 7 2022, 17:33 · Alex Sarwar

Croatia vs Brazil – Quarter-Final – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup

Croatia vs Brazil – Quarter-Final – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup
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THE FACTS

When is Croatia vs Brazil on and what time does it start? Croatia vs Brazil will take place on Friday 9th December, 2022 – 15:00 (UK)

Where is Croatia vs Brazil taking place? Croatia vs Brazil will take place at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar

Where can I get tickets for Croatia vs Brazil? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Croatia vs Brazil

What channel is Croatia vs Brazil on in the UK? Croatia vs Brazil will be televised live on BBC / Croatia vs Brazil will be televised live on ITV

Where can I stream Croatia vs Brazil in the UK? Croatia vs Brazil can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app / Croatia vs Brazil can be streamed live on the ITV Hub

THE LOWDOWN

CROATIA

  • Croatia have proven the kings of penalty shootouts in recent World Cup knockout matches, winning two back in 2018 on their way to the final and it was through this method that they progressed past Japan in the round of 16 here in 2022, setting up this tussle with Brazil.
  • Who plays as the central forward has been an underlying issue for Zlatko Dalic, with Bruno Petkovic not impressing when given a chance to start against Japan, so it would be no surprise to see Marko Livaja brought back into the starting XI.

BRAZIL

  • Brazil proved far too strong for Korea Republic in the round of 16, scoring early on and racking up another three goals before half-time, with the only negatives being that they didn’t go on to score more goals and that they failed to keep a clean sheet.
  • Neymar returned from his ankle injury sustained in the group stage, putting in an excellent performance and will no doubt keep his place in what may well be an unchanged Brazilian side.

THE TEAM NEWS

CROATIA

PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Kramaric, Livaja, Perisic

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE: Sosa (Illness)

BRAZIL

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Eder Militao, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Danilo; Paqueta, Casemiro; Raphinha, Neymar, Vinicius Junior; Richarlison

UNAVAILABLE: Jesus (Injured), Telles (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE:

THE KEY STATS

  • Brazil are unbeaten in the previous four matches between these two nations with three wins and one draw. The South Americans won both of their previous two World Cup encounters (1-0 in 2006 and 3-1 in 2014, both in the group stage)
  • This is Croatia’s third FIFA World Cup quarter-final tie. They were successful in each their previous two; having won 3-0 against Germany in 1998 and then via a penalty shoot-out against Russia in 2018
  • Croatia have lost only one of their last 11 FIFA World Cup matches (W5 D5)
  • Croatia have lost only one of their last 20 international matches (W12 D7)
  • Croatia have lost four of their previous five FIFA World Cup matches against South American opposition, with the exception being a 3-0 victory against Argentina in the group stage at Russia 2018, that was their most recent encounter against a South American team
  • Four of Croatia’s last five FIFA World Cup knockout stage matches have gone into extra-time
  • This is Croatia’s first FIFA World Cup knockout stage match against South American opposition
  • Croatia have been successful in seven of their previous nine FIFA World Cup knockout stage ties
  • Croatia have not failed to score in their previous nine FIFA World Cup knockout stage matches
  • Ivan Perišić has joined Davor Šuker as all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup matches for Croatia with six goals.
  • Ivan Perišić has now scored in each of Croatia's last three FIFA World Cup knockout stage matches (semi-finals and final in 2018 and round of 16 in 2022)
  • Brazil have lost three of their last four FIFA World Cup quarter-final matches (W1). All three defeats came against European opposition
  • This is Brazil’s 14th FIFA World Cup quarter-final tie, this is the joint-most alongside Germany. Brazil have been successful in eight of their previous 13 quarter-final ties
  • This is Brazil’s eighth successive appearance in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, the last time they didn’t feature at this stage was in 1990
  • The last time that Brazil featured in a FIFA World Cup quarter-final match that went into extra-time was 1986 when they were eventually edged out by France on penalties
  • Brazil have won six of their last eight FIFA World Cup matches (L2)
  • Brazil have surpassed Germany (112) as the team with the most games in FIFA World Cup history, this will be their 114th match
  • Brazil have only failed to score in two of their last 15 FIFA World Cup matches
  • Against Korea Republic, Neymar became the third Brazilian player to score in three or more editions of the FIFA World Cup after Ronaldo (1998, 2002, 2006) and Pelé (1958, 1962, 1966, 1970)

THE PREDICTION

Croatia’s recent World Cup pedigree is enough to take them seriously and they have already proven their worth defensively against high-level opposition in this year’s tournament when they shut out both Belgium and fellow quarter-finalists Morocco in the group stage. However, Brazil will pose their strongest challenge since their loss against France in the 2018 final, with the plethora of attacking riches within Brazil’s squad having been moulded into a formidable unit by head coach Tite. It’s also difficult to see Croatia containing the offensive capabilities to consistently trouble Brazil’s experienced backline and world class goalkeeper in Alisson Becker. As good as Luka Modric is and as well stocked as Croatia are in midfield, Brazil’s class at both ends of the pitch should see them come through this test and reach the semi-finals.

TIP: BRAZIL TO WIN