Croatia v Brazil predictions: Style and substance can enable Samba Stars success

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Croatia v Brazil in the World Cup quarter-finals on Friday.

Where to watch

BBC One, 3pm Friday

Croatia v Brazil World Cup match predictions

Brazil to win to nil
1pt 11-10 general

Brazil were lauded for their attacking play when racing into a 4-0 first-half lead against South Korea in the last 16, but it is their stout defence, which has conceded just two goals in Qatar, that could be key to seeing off a talented Croatia side.

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Match preview

Brazil showed off their skills and dance moves when romping to a 4-1 victory over South Korea on Monday, but they had to demonstrate defensive discipline in the group stage and more of the same could be required to see off 2018 runners-up Croatia in Al Rayyan.

There is never much shortage of support from the stands when Brazil are on the World Cup stage and many will be yearning for another sumptuous performance from the men in yellow.

However, Croatia will have other ideas and are not a team to casually dismiss despite a few of their most influential players approaching the end of their careers.

The 2022 World Cup will almost certainly be the last for 37-year-old Luka Modric and 33-year-olds Dejan Lovren and Ivan Perisic, who all featured in Croatia's 3-1 loss to Brazil in the opening match of the 2014 tournament.

On that occasion, Croatia went toe to toe with the World Cup hosts but were on the wrong end of a controversial penalty decision which allowed Neymar to slide the hosts into a 2-1 lead.

Croatia bowed out in the group stage eight years ago before famously going on to reach the final in Russia four years later, but their progression to the quarter-finals in Qatar is another notable achievement.

The Croatia of four years ago were an enterprising side spearheaded by a very good centre-forward in Mario Mandzukic.

They have felt the need be more defensively-minded in Qatar and Leipzig central defender Josko Gvardiol has emerged as a key cog in their machine.

Croatia conceded just one goal in the group stage and their last-16 clash with Japan was a tight affair which looked bound for penalties from the moment Perisic's 55th-minute header levelled the scores at 1-1.

But Croatia invested a lot both physically and mentally into the game and the short turnaround to the quarter-finals could work against them.

Brazil manager Tite is unlikely to have any issues in regards to player fatigue after getting almost everything he wanted from the South Korea game, including 81 minutes from returning talisman Neymar.

A largely second-string Brazil were beaten 1-0 by Cameroon in their final group game, but their first 11 have passed every other test with flying colours.

They had to show patience in group-stage victories over Serbia (2-0) and Switzerland (1-0) and it may take them a while fully wrest control from the Croatians, whose talented midfield trio of Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic are the heartbeat of the team.

However, Brazil have a clear advantage in attacking areas and they should eventually find the breakthrough and set up a 12th World Cup semi-final.

Key stat

Brazil have kept seven clean sheets in their last ten competitive matches.

Team news

Croatia
Josip Stanisic (muscle strain) is a doubt, but Borna Sosa (illness) could return.

Brazil
Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles (both knee) have been forced to withdraw from the tournament and Alex Sandro (hip) is a doubt.

Probable teams

Croatia (4-3-3) Livakovic; Juranovic; Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Kovacic, Brozovic, Modric; Kramaric, Petkovic, Perisic.

Brazil (4-2-3-1) Alisson; Militao, Silva, Marquinhos, Danilo; Casemiro, Paqueta; Raphinha, Neymar, Vinicius Junior; Richarlison.

Inside info

Croatia

Top scorer in probable team Andrej Kramaric
Star player Luka Modric
Penalty taker Luka Modric
Assist ace Ivan Perisic
Set-piece aerial threat Dejan Lovren
Card magnet Marcelo Brozovic

Brazil

Top scorer in probable team Neymar
Star player Neymar
Penalty taker Neymar
Assist ace Neymar
Set-piece aerial threat Thiago Silva
Card magnet Casemiro

Croatia v Brazil Bet Builder

Raphinha to score anytime Raphinha has had eight shots in Qatar, more than any Brazilian, and looks ready to open his World Cup account

Croatia to receive the most cards Stopping the Brazilians is going to be a tough ask and there is every chance of a few Croatian players overstepping the disciplinary boundary

Under 3.5 goals Croatia have conceded just two goals in four games and can avoid a hammering

Price guide 10-1