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Recommended bets
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Match preview
The 2022 World Cup quarter-finals commence with this intriguing clash at Education City Stadium.
After an underwhelming group stage, Brazil came alive on Monday night, demolishing Korea Republic 4-1.
A Seleção scored all four in just 29 minutes first half, simply blowing away their Asian opponents.
VinĂcius JĂşnior broke the deadlock with a volley, Neymar converted a penalty, Richarlison rounded-off a majestic team-goal, before Lucas Paquetá completed the scoring.
Tite’s team treated the watching world to a vintage Brazil performance, sending out a warning to the other teams left in this tournament.
Earlier on Monday, Croatia also defeated one of the 2002 co-hosts, although their victory against Japan was a lot less clear-cut.
Nikola Vlašić, Marcelo Brozović and Mario Pašalić all converted from 12 yards, but Dominik Livaković was the hero, saving three spot-kicks as Croatia progressed.
Seven of Croatia’s eight tournament knockout games this century have now gone to extra time, the sole exception being the most-recent World Cup Final.
Thus, Zlatko Dalić’s team will be no push-overs, but they’ll do very well to take this Brazil side the distance.
A Seleção have won their two previous World Cup meetings with Croatia, 1-0 in Berlin in 2006 and 3-1 in São Paulo in the tournament’s opening game eight years ago.
This one is likely to go the same way, with Brazil hoping to set up a blockbuster quarter-final clash with Netherlands or Argentina.
Croatia team news
The majority of Zlatko Dalić’s team are familiar, notably the midfield trio of Marcelo Brozović, Luka Modrić and Mateo KovaÄŤić.
That will remain unchanged however, at left-back, Borna Sosa, who missed the Japan win due to illness, will return in place of Rangers’ Borna Barišić.
Ivan Perišić’s header in that game means he’s now scored at five successive major tournaments, while Dejan Lovren has featured in all 14 of Croatia’s World Cup matches since his international debut.
In attack, Bruno Petković led the line on Monday, but Marko Livaja or Mislav Oršić could get the nod this time.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Livaković; Juranović, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Brozović, Kovačić, Modrić; Livaja, Kramarić, Perišić.
Brazil team news
Neymar started against Korea Republic on Monday, staying on four 80 minutes, just 11 days after sustaining a nasty-looking ankle injury against Serbia.
As he is good to go, the XI will remain unchanged, with Neymar one behind PelĂ©’s all-time goal-scoring record.
Lucas Paquetá will keep his place as Casemiro’s midfield partner, chosen over both Fabinho and Fred.
Full-back is the only question mark in this side, with Alex Telles defiantly out and Alex Sandro a doubt.
Sandro will return if fit but, if not, Danilo will continue to deputise on the left, with Éder Militão at right-back.
39 year old Dani Alves earned his 126th cap off the bench in the last 16, so has now overtaken Roberto Carlos for Brazil appearance; only Cafu (142) has more.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; MilitĂŁo, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Danilo; Casemiro, Paquetá, Raphinha, Neymar, VinĂcius JĂşnior; Richarlison.
Croatia vs Brazil: Head to head statistics
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