Strinic set to struggle against speedy Mbappe

The Fifa man of the match award usually goes to a goalscorer so it is totally understandable that fancy French pair Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe head the betting for the final against Croatia.

Griezmann, who takes penalties and free kicks for Les Bleus, and Mbappe have each won two awards in this tournament with the teenager seen as the favourite by bookmakers to come out on top in Moscow.

A month ago Griezmann was as short as 12-1 to be named player of the tournament with Mbappe a 40-1 shot, so it goes to show the impact the youngster has made on the World Cup that he is suddenly now seen as most likely to steal the show in the biggest match of the lot.

World Cup final

Mark Langdon's match preview

Philippe Auclair's view from France

Andy Brassell's verdict

Racing Post football writers have their say

Key battlegrounds

Griezmann looks the better value given he is more likely to score, but Mbappe's pace from the right flank has caused problems throughout the knockout stages and Croatia left-back Ivan Strinic may need to use more foul means that fair to nullify the speedster.

Strinic was cautioned against Russia and, interestingly, in three of the five matches started by Mbappe the opposition left-back - Australia's Aziz Behich, Argentina's Nicolas Tagliafico and Jan Vertonghen of Belgium - has ended up in the referee's notebook.

Argentinian arbiter Nestor Pitana will blow the whistle and he could be busy if Croatia get frustrated. Only once have Croatia had less possession than their opponents in this tournament and that came against Argentina when Zlatko Dalic's men picked up five yellow cards.

Dalic has also made much more use of his substitutes than opposite number Didier Deschamps, which suggests Croatia could twitch first in the tactical battle.

In France's five meaningful World Cup matches Deschamps has not made a switch before 70 minutes and seven of his eight knockout substitutions have come in the final ten minutes.

Recommendations
I Strinic to be carded
1pt 7-2 Betfair, Betfred
I Strinic first player carded
0.5pt 14-1 bet365
Croatia to make first substitution
1pt 11-12 188Bet

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