Croatia Vs Denmark Prediction

About Croatia vs Denmark Match

Emerging dark horses for the World Cup Croatia took Group D by storm, winning all three matches to top the group and set-up a last-16 tie with Group D runners-up Denmark. The Danes are also unbeaten so far at Russia 2018, but scored just two goals as they finished with one win and two draws. The two now meet in Nizhny Novgorod with a quarter-final against either Spain or Russia awaiting the winner. The match kicks off at 9pm local time on Sunday July 1.

Croatia Team News, Updates, and Facts

Croatia Team News

Croatia took advantage of their great start to the tournament to rest players against Iceland, with only Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic retaining their starting places from the defeat of Argentina. They are likely to revert the team that beat Argentina for their round-of-16 clash with Denmark, though Milan Badelj could start after a goal and an assist against Iceland.

Croatia Key Players

Luka Modric (central midfielder) – Two goals in the first two games proved his class after arriving at the World Cup on the back of yet another Champions League win.

Ivan Rakitic (central midfielder) – Modric’s rival at club level, but the Barcelona midfielder stars alongside him for their country in a brilliant midfield axis.

Ivan Perisic (winger) – Scored the winner last time out, having scored 11 Serie A goals and bagged nine assists last season with Inter.

Croatia Group stage round up

Croatia 2-0 Nigeria

Croatia 3-0 Argentina

Croatia 2-1 Iceland

Croatia glided into the last-16 with a perfect record from their three group stage matches, the stand-out result of which was the thrashing of Argentina. They had earlier kicked off with a 2-0 win against below-par Nigeria before putting Argentina to the sword. Ante Rebic pounced on Willy Caballero’s howler, Luka Modric curled in a second and Ivan Rakitic sealed victory late on. Finally, with players rested against Iceland, Croatia had Milan Badelj’s opener cancelled out by a penalty before Ivan Perisic sealed victory – and maintained the perfect record – in the final minute. 

Croatia Team Form

Croatia team have won five of their last six matches, including four in a row. The only team to have got the better of them in that time was Brazil, who won 2-0 at Anfield in a friendly. They have since come from behind to beat Senegal in their final friendly and then won all three group stage matches – Ivan Perisic maintaining the 100 per cent record with a late winner against Iceland last time out.

Croatia Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-2-3-1

Croatia likely XI

• Goalkeeper:
  Danijel Subasic
• Defenders:
  Sime Vrsaljko, Dejan Lovren, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Strinic
• Defensive Midfielders:
  Luka Modric, Milan Badelj
• Attacking Midfielders:
  Ante Rebic, Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic
• Forwards:
  Mario Mandzukic

Denmark Team News, Updates, and Facts

Denmark Team News

Yussuf Poulsen is back from suspension to play against Croatia after sitting out the bore draw with France at the end of the group stage. Mathias Jorgensen, Andreas Cornelius and Martin Braithwaite all started that game, with a new 4-1-4-1 system adopted, but Andreas Christensen is likely to drop back into centre-back and Poulsen, Lasse Schone and Nicolai Jorgensen start return to the starting line-up. 

Denmark Key Players

Christian Eriksen (attacking midfielder) – Scored Denmark’s goal against Australia and has an incredible 17 in his last 21 internationals. He had previously scored six in 60 appearances.

Yussuf Poulsen (winger) – Back in action after missing the final group game – he scored the winner in Denmark’s first match.

Simon Kjaer (defender) – The Sevilla captain and Denmark centre-back has been at the heart of Denmark’s brilliant recent defensive record.

Denmark Group stage round up

Denmark 1-0 Peru

Denmark 1-1 Australia

Denmark 0-0 France

Yussuf Poulsen scored the winner as Denmark beat Peru to kick-off the 2018 World Cup with a crucial three points, before draws with Australia and France followed. Christian Eriksen scored against Australia before a penalty pegged them back – and ended a run of five consecutive clean sheets. A bore draw with France in the final group game confirmed their progress to the last-16.

Denmark Team Form

Denmark team are unbeaten in their last 17 full international matches, having come through the group stage with a win and two draws. The goalless draw with France was their sixth clean sheet in seven matches – a sequence that also includes 0-0s with Chile and Sweden ahead of the tournament. Denmark won their final warm-up game 2-0 against Mexico and their goalscorers, Yussuf Poulsen and Christian Eriksen, have since gone on to score at Russia 2018.

Denmark Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-2-3-1

Denmark likely XI

• Goalkeeper:
  Kasper Schmeichel
• Defenders:
  Henrik Dalsgaard, Simon Kjaer, Andreas Christensen, Jens Larsen
• Defensive Midfielders:
  Lasse Schone, Thomas Delaney
• Attacking Midfielders:
  Yussuf Poulsen, Christian Eriksen, Pione Sisto
• Forwards:
  Nicolai Jorgensen

Croatia vs Denmark Head-to-Head Stats

Croatia and Denmark met each other four times between 1996 and 1999, with Denmark winning two and drawing one, but they have not met since Croatia won 2-1 in a friendly in 2004. At major tournaments, their only previous meeting was Croatia’s 3-0 win in the group stages at Euro ’96.

Croatia vs Denmark Stats

 Croatia have won five of their last six matches, including four in a row

 Denmark are unbeaten in their last 17 full international matches

 Croatia have only ever lost once match against a fellow European team at the World Cup – hosts France back in 1998

 Denmark have kept six clean sheets in their past seven matches.

Croatia vs Denmark Betting Tips

Croatia were in excellent form in the group stages, emerging as potential dark horses for the World Cup thanks to their excellent performances in seeing off Nigeria and Argentina in their first two matches.

Maintaining their momentum with a win in the final match was important too – Denmark can not say the same thing after a drab 0-0 draw with France earned them their last-16 spot.

While keeping yet another clean sheet – their sixth in seven matches – they showed none of the attacking flair they will need to beat the Croatians.

Croatia have already shut out and totally outplayed Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and co at Argentina, and Christian Eriksen will face a difficult night if he wants to maintain his recent goalscoring record.

Denmark’s biggest strength has been their defence, but with Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic pulling the strings, and Ivan Perisic, Mario Mandzukic and Ante Rebic in front of them, Croatia have plenty of attacking strength.

This Croatian team is packed with experience and their La Liga and Serie A-based stars all look to have peaked at the same time if their performances of late are anything to go by.

Zlatko Dalic has undoubtedly got the best out of them, after they struggled in qualifying, but they now look one of the teams to beat – and Denmark – who have scored just five goals in their last eight games – simply do not seem to have the firepower to overcome the Croatians.

Croatia vs Denmark Recommended bets with odds

Croatia are odds-on favourites to beat Denmark at 10/11 with Betfair, Betway and 10Bet. That’s a generous price considering their excellent form so far.

In fairness to Denmark’s excellent defence, however, there should not be many goals in Sunday’s last-16 game. Under 2.5 goals will return 1/2 with Betfair and Betway. A Croatia win and under 2.5 goals is 9/4 with Ladbrokes and Betway.

Denmark have lacked attacking prowess – Christian Eriksen aside – however, and a Croatia win to nil is 13/8 with Bet365 and Ladbrokes. You can also bet against both teams to score at 3/5 with Betfair and Betway. A Croatia clean sheet is 19/20 with Ladbrokes and Betway, meanwhile.

Only one Croatian – Davor Suker, who won the Golden Boot at France ’98 – has scored three or more goals at a single World Cup, but Luka Modric needs just one more to become the second. He is 4/1 with Bet365 and 10Bet to do just that.

Croatia vs Denmark Prediction

Croatia were in excellent form in the group stages, while Denmark appeared below-par at times. Their excellent defensive record proves they will be tough to crack, but Croatia can do exactly that with attacking strength in abundance.

Correct score prediction: 

Croatia 2-0 Denmark

Spain Vs Russia Prediction

About Spain vs Russia Match

After finishing second in Group A, Russia will face Spain at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium – the national stadium. Spain topped Group B ahead of Portugal to set up this last-16 tie. This will be the second time the two nations have faced each other in Russia in the past 12 months, with the previous fixture a high-scoring 3-3 draw. Spain have never lost to Russia, and will hope to continue that record when the match kicks off at 5pm local time on Sunday July 1.

Spain Team News, Updates, and Facts

Spain Team News

Thiago Alcantara returned to the Spain team to face Morocco as they reverted to their more usual 4-3-3 formation. Lucas Vazquez dropped back to the bench as a result. Iago Aspas’ stoppage-time equaliser might not be enough to earn him a starting place, meanwhile, with Diego Costa having scored three goals in the other two group matches.

Spain Key Players

Diego Costa (striker) – Having netted five times in qualifying, Costa scored three times in the first two group-stage matches.

David Silva (attacking midfielder) – Manchester City’s playmaker was integral to their record-breaking Premier League season and was another to score five qualifying goals for Spain.

Isco (attacking midfielder) – Five goals in qualifying, three in the friendly against Argentina and now off the mark at the 2018 World Cup with his goal against Morocco.

Spain Group stage round up

Spain 3-3 Portugal

Spain 1-0 Iran

Spain 2-2 Morocco

Spain team qualified for the last-16 stage as Group B winners but only just – Iago Aspas’ VAR-reviewed stoppage-time equaliser enough to earn a point against Morocco in the final game, just as Portugal were dropping two points to a late Iran equaliser in their match. Spain’s draw – after Isco had earlier cancelled out Morocco’s opener – was their second in three matches, having also drawn 3-3 with Portugal. Diego Costa’s double and Nacho’s strike look to have given Spain the win before Cristiano Ronaldo completed his hat-trick with a late free-kick to seal a point. Costa scored again in a scrappy win against Iran before the draw with Morocco proved just enough to qualify first on goals scored.

Spain Team Form

Spain are unbeaten since they were knocked out of Euro 2016 but they have won just three of their last eight matches. Draws with Germany, Russia and Switzerland, either side of the stunning 6-1 thrashing of Argentina, preceded a late win against Tunisia in their final warm-up game – Iago Aspas also striking late in that one. They then drew two of their three group stage matches.

Spain Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-3-3

Spain likely XI

• Goalkeeper:
  David de Gea
• Defenders:
  Dani Carvajal, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba
• Midfielders:
  Thiago Alcantara, Sergio Busquets Andres Iniesta
• Forwards:
  Isco, Diego Costa, David Silva

Russia Team News, Updates, and Facts

Russia Team News

Russia’s decision to rotate players backfired a little in the match against Uruguay when one of the players rotated in, Igor Smolnikov, was sent off for two yellow cards after just 36 minutes. He will now miss the match against Spain through suspension, joining injured Alan Dzagoev on the sidelines. Artem Dzyuba looks to have cemented his place up front, while Aleksandr Golovin, Manuel Fernandes and Yuri Zhirkov are all set to return against Spain.

Russia Key Players

Denis Cheryshev- Has seized his chance in place of injured Alan Dzagoev with three goals in the first two games – his own goal against Uruguay was pure misfortune.

Artem Dzyuba- Ousted Fyodor Smolov from the starting line-up with two goals in the first two games thanks to his big physical presence up front.

Aleksandr Golovin- A goal and two assists on the opening night proved he is a key playmaker for Russia – particularly in Dzagoev’s absence

Russia Group stage round up

Russia 5-0 Saudi Arabia

Russia 3-1 Egypt

Russia 0-3 Uruguay

Russia took just two games to book their place in the last-16, putting a bad run of form behind them with a 5-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia – Denis Cheryshev scoring twice after Alan Dzagoev had gone off injured – and a 3-1 win against Egypt. Cheryshev also scored in the latter game, as did Artem Dzyuba who had netted from the bench on the opening night. Their final group game showed the gulf that still exists between Russia football team and the top teams, however – a 3-0 thrashing by Uruguay. Russia played the last 54 with ten men, but were already 2-0 down at the time Igor Smolnikov received his second yellow card.

Russia Team Form

Russia went seven matches without a win ahead of the World Cup – a run stretching back to a friendly against South Korea in October. They turned that around in perfect time with their 5-0 defeat of Saudi Arabia and 3-1 win against Egypt, however, though the 3-0 loss to Uruguay ensured they had to settle for second place in Group A to set up this match.

Russia Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-2-3-1

Russia likely XI

• Goalkeeper:
  Igor Akinfeev
• Defenders:
  Manuel Fernandes, Ilya Kutepov, Sergei Ignashevich, Yuri Zhirkov
• Defensive Midfielders:
  Yury Gazinsky, Roman Zobnin
• Attacking Midfielders:
  Alexander Samedov, Denis Cheryshev, Aleksandr Golovin
• Forwards:
  Artem Dzyuba

Spain vs Russia Head-to-Head Stats

Spain and Russia have now met six times since the break-up of the Soviet Union and the Spanish are unbeaten in all six. Russia’s only previous defeat of the Spanish was as the USSR in 1971 and Spain have won six of the other nine matches between the two. At major tournaments, Spain have won four from four – the European Championship final in 1964 and, more recently, a 1-0 win at Euro 2004 and two wins – 4-1 in the group stage and 3-0 in the semi-final – at Euro 2008. They have only met once since then – the friendly in November in St Petersburg which Spain led 2-0 and 3-2 before Russia claimed a 3-3 draw. Sergio Ramos scored two penalties for the Spanish, while Fyodor Smolov netted twice for the hosts – Jordi Alba and Aleksei Miranchuk scoring the other goals. 

Spain vs Russia Stats

 Spain are now unbeaten in their last 23 matches thanks to Iago Aspas’ late equaliser against Morocco. 

 Spain have never lost to Russia since the break-up of the Soviet Union, and have won all four matches they have played at major tournaments (both against the USSR and Russia).

 Spain have scored at least three goals against Russia in each of their last three matches, including November’s 3-3 draw.

 Defeat to Uruguay was Russia’s seventh loss in 13 games – they have won three of the other six, two of which were in the World Cup group stage

Spain vs Russia Betting Tips

Spain are yet to hit top form at this World Cup and yet find themselves second-favourites to lift the trophy, behind Brazil, after the group stage. There is no doubting their route to the final is easier on paper than if they had finished second in Group B.

Russia, on the other hand, started the World Cup in blistering form but were brought back down to earth by Uruguay’s 3-0 win last time out.

Uruguay’s victory proved the difference between Russia and the top nations and Spain are certainly in the ‘top nations’ bracket.

They have been unconvincing so far but given the off-field turmoil ahead of the first game – after Julen Lopetegui’s sacking – they will not complain at how things have panned out.

Fernando Hierro’s team now need to silence the home crowd and Diego Costa and co need to fire. David Silva, Isco and Andre Iniesta all provide creativity and other goalscoring options.

Spain have a good record against Russia too, including all four times they have met at a major tournament. Their 3-3 draw in November was the third time they have scored three or more past the Russians in their past three games.

Russia impressed in their opening two fixtures but the defeat to Uruguay was telling – even with home advantage, they should not be troubling a Spain team who have not lost since Euro 2016.

Spain vs Russia Recommended bets with odds

As you would expect, given they are now second-favourites to win the World Cup, Spain are odds-on favourites to beat Russia in their last-16 tie.

Betfair and Betway are offering 8/13 on the Spanish to win.

One thing that does seem likely, however, is that there will be goals. There were six, three apiece, when these two teams last met in November, while Russia’s three group stage matches saw 12 goals scored compared to 11 in Spain’s.

Both teams to score has been set at 6/5 with Betfair and Paddy Power and you can get 23/20 from Ladbrokes on there being over 2.5 goals in Sunday’s match in Moscow. A Spain win and BTTS is 16/5 with Betfair.

As for those goals, Diego Costa – with three to his name already – is favourite to net against Russia at any time – 888sport have priced a Costa goal at a best price of 23/17. Isco opened his account for the tournament last time out, meanwhile – he is 23/10 with Betfair and Paddy Power to score at any time.

Spain vs Russia Prediction

Spain have yet to hit top gear but against the hosts – who were thrashed 3-0 by Uruguay last time out – this could be the point at which they really start to show their class. Expect goals, based on each team’s group stage matches, and Spain to progress as they look to live up to their new billing as likely finalists.

Correct score prediction: 

Spain 3-1 Russia