Davis Cup predictions, odds and tennis betting tips: Croatia can go one better

Free tennis tips, best bets and analysis for the Davis Cup, which gets underway on Tuesday, November 22.

When to bet

Play starts 3pm Tuesday

Best bet

Croatia to win the Davis Cup
1pt 7-2 Coral, Ladbrokes

USA to beat Italy 9am Thursday
2pts 8-13 bet365, Hills

Tournament preview

Eight teams remain in this year’s Davis Cup and, armed with a potentially beneficial draw, last season’s runners-up Croatia could be primed to go one place better.

The Russian Tennis Federation proved too strong in last year's final but Croatia won’t have to face a double act as fearsome as Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev this time so look well poised to claim some compensation.

The eight nations will play four quarter-final matches from Tuesday to Thursday before the semi-final on Friday and Saturday and concluding with Sunday's final in Malaga.

Croatia’s quarter-final sees a showdown with hosts Spain but Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz are unavailable for selection, meaning Pablo Carreno Busta and Roberto Bautista Agut are leading their charge.

Marin Cilic helped Croatia lift the trophy in 2018 and he has a strong supporting cast in the singles from Borna Coric, which should be enough to see off the Spaniards.

As was the case in the previous round of the Davis Cup, each tie consists of two singles rubbers before a doubles contest if the score is level at 1-1.

Winning that quarter-final clash would see them faced with a last-four tussle with Australia or the Netherlands, who appear to be two of the weakest nations left in the competition.

The Aussies are minus Nick Kyrgios while the Dutch appear heavily reliant on the efforts of Botic van de Zandschulp.

A final spot is, therefore, up for grabs for Croatia and although it’s going to be a tough title-decider whoever they face, quotes of 7-2 still underrate their chances.

The top half of the draw is considerably more competitive with Canada, Italy and USA all fighting it out for a place in Sunday’s showpiece.

Canada have a talented team with the in-form Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov expected to help them past the Germans, who will be ruing not having Alexander Zverev fit.

But USA or Italy are going to provide a stern examination of their title credentials in the last four, which makes it an easy section to swerve.

However, it is worth noting that the Italian team are without sidelined stars Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini which hands the advantage to the Americans, whose unit looks strong with Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul and Jack Sock all on show.

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