If Brazil’s performance in World Cup group play left any doubt about why they’ve been the outright favorites for months, they answered any remaining questions in the Round of 16, scoring four times in 36 minutes en route to a 4-1 win over South Korea.
Brazil was heavily favored in that Round of 16 matchup, and oddsmakers expect them to have no problems with Croatia, either — Brazil are -750 to advance at FanDuel Sportsbook. With Neymar starting in his first appearance since his injury in his team’s opener, the Brazil attack immediately ripped through South Korea’s back line, as Vinicius struck first in the seventh minute and Neymar buried a penalty kick six minutes later.
Croatia had a much tougher time in their Round of 16 win over Japan. Luka Modric and Co. were tied 1-1 with Japan after 90 minutes, and neither side found a goal in extra time, which led to penalty kicks. Croatia advanced thanks to its poise from the spot and some outstanding goalkeeping by Dominik Livaković, easily winning the PK battle, 3-1.
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Here we look at odds, props, and predictions for Brazil vs. Croatia in the quarterfinals at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Brazil vs. Croatia Odds: Moneyline & Total for World Cup Clash
Here are the betting lines from top US sportsbooks for Brazil vs. Croatia. The odds are likely to change between now and kickoff, and it’s always advised to weigh the options at various sports betting apps to find the best sportsbook bonuses and prices.
These odds reflect the prices for both sides on the three-way line, where a bet on either team is a loss in the event of a draw. DraftKings lists the draw at +400.
SOCCER · Fri (12/9) @ 10:00 am ET
| Brazil | at | Croatia |
| Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan, QA | ||
Brazil vs. Croatia Moneyline Odds
The three-way moneyline prices apply only to what the scoreboard reads after 90 minutes of regulation (including stoppage time). That means that if you bet Brazil (or Croatia) to win, and they advance in overtime or on PKs, your bet still goes down as a loss since the game was tied at the end of regulation.
If you think one side will advance to the next round, but think it might happen after the match is tied through 90 minutes, take a look at odds to advance. For this match, Brazil are -650 to advance, while Croatia are +450 on DraftKings. At FanDuel, the “to advance” prices are Brazil -750 and Croatia +490. Caesars offers Brazil at -650 and Croatia at +375.
Brazil vs. Croatia Total
The total is set at 2.5 goals, with the Over priced at -130 on DraftKings, while the Under is +105. The under is tempting at that price considering three of Croatia’s first four games went Under 2.5 total goals, and three of four of Brazil’s also featured two goals or fewer.
Brazil vs. Croatia: World Cup History
Brazil has the richest World Cup history of any country, with five titles. In fact, Brazil are one of just three sides — Italy and Germany, with four apiece, are the other two — with more than two World Cup trophies.
Brazil won their most recent World Cup title in 2002. They’ve been eliminated after reaching the quarterfinals in three of the last four World Cups, but did advance to the semifinals in 2014. That run, which took place with Brazil serving as tournament host, is not well remembered, though. The home side was eliminated in an embarrassing 7-1 loss to eventual champions Germany.
Croatia qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 1998, and they’ve made it to every edition since, except in 2010. In six World Cup appearances, Croatia have been eliminated in group play three times, but when they’ve made it to knockout play, they’ve fared well — reaching the final in 2018 (where they lost to France), and the semifinals in 1998.
Brazil and Croatia have met twice before in the World Cup, in 2014 and in 2006. Both those games took place in group play. Brazil won 3-1 in 2014 and 1-0 in 2006.
Brazil Roster, Injuries, and Betting News
Brazil have only solidified their pre-tournament status as favorites through four matches in Qatar.
Despite playing two games without Neymar, Brazil has been in control of each of its first four opponents — besides Cameroon, which defeated a heavily-rotated Brazil side with little to play for on the final day of group play. Their performance against South Korea turned heads and has a lot to do with why they’re currently +165 to win the tournament at both BetMGM and BetRivers.
Roster
Neymar and his teammates up top dominate the spotlight for Brazil, but this is a solid roster from front to back. At keeper, Alisson has also been outstanding so far. Center backs Marquinhos and Thiago Silva anchor the back line, with Danilo, Alex Sandro, Dani Alves, and Eder Militao among a solid group of options at left and right back.
In the midfield, Brazil relies on Casemiro, Fred, and Lucas Paqueta, with Fabinho and Bruno Guimaraes among the top backups.
In addition to Neymar, Brazil’s wealth of attacking threats includes Richarlison (who has scored three goals in Qatar), Vinicius, Raphinha, Antony, and Gabriel Martinelli.
Injuries
Brazil’s romp over South Korea not only gave us our first glimpse of what this attack can do when firing on all cylinders, but also made it clear that Neymar and Danilo have recovered from the injury issues that plagued them in group play. Both players started and performed well against South Korea, before Danilo subbed out in the 72nd minute, followed by Neymar coming off in the 81st.
Still, Brazil has been as banged up as any team in Qatar. It has already lost Gabriel Jesus for the remainder of the tournament due to a knee injury. They’re also without defender Alex Telles, who suffered a knee injury of his own against Cameroon, for the rest of the Cup.
Croatia Roster, Injuries, and Betting News
Croatia deserves plenty of credit for outlasting Japan in the Round of 16 after doing just enough to advance from Group F, but it’s lucky to be in the quarterfinals. Three of their first four games so far were draws after 90 minutes, and they’ve been shut out twice.
That’s why — even with an impressive group of veteran holdovers from their run to the 2018 World Cup final — they’re the biggest underdogs (+4000 on DraftKings) to win the World Cup of the eight remaining teams.
Roster
It all starts with ageless midfielder Luka Modric. The 37-year-old led Croatia’s impressive run in 2018 and remains one of Real Madrid’s best players. Modric’s veteran teammates from the 2018 run include Ivan Perisic, Marcelo Brozovic, Dejan Lovren, Andrej Kramaric, and Mateo Kovacic.
Croatia is not devoid of young stars, though — 20-year-old center back Josko Gvardiol of RB Leipzig is on the verge of a lucrative transfer, either in the January window or next summer.
Injuries
Croatia does not have significant injury concerns besides Borno Sosa, who started his team’s group matches but missed the Japan match due to illness. His status for the Brazil match is unclear.
Brazil vs. Croatia Props
Below is a sampling of props for Brazil vs. Croatia.
Anytime Goalscorer (FanDuel):
- Neymar: +110
- Richarlison: +150
- Vinicius: +190
- Bruno Petkovic, Andrej Kramaric: +500
- Ivan Perisic: +650
Correct Score (DraftKings):
- Brazil 1-0: +600
- Brazil 2-0: +550
- Brazil 2-1: +850
- Croatia 1-0: +1900
- Croatia 2-0: +5500
- Croatia 2-1: +2500
- 0-0: +1700
- 1-1: +850
Total Goal Props (DraftKings):
- Over 0.5 goals -5000, Under 0.5 goals: +1300
- Over 1.5 goals -450, Under 1.5 goals: +320
- Over 2.5 goals -130, Under 2.5 goals: +105
- Over 3.5 goals +195, Under 3.5 goals: -245
Brazil vs. Croatia Broadcast Info: Where to Watch
- Date/Time: Friday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m. ET
- Location: Education City Stadium
Watch this match at one of the following:
- FOX
- Fox Sports App
- Peacock
- Telemundo
Brazil vs. Croatia Prediction: Brazil 2, Croatia 0
If there’s one quarterfinal matchup where I can’t come up with a case for an upset, it’s this one, and oddsmakers wholeheartedly agree. Croatia have struggled to score against back lines that are not as good as Brazil’s (they were held scoreless by both Morocco and Belgium), and also haven’t seen an attack like the one they’ll face on Friday.
Brazil vs. Croatia odds should be closer than Brazil-South Korea, but expect Brazil to be up by a goal or two at halftime, and for there to be little, if any, drama in the final minutes.
Here are two bets available at DraftKings that are worth checking out:
- Brazil To Win: By 2 Goals (+260)
- Halftime/Full Time: Brazil/Brazil (-105)
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