Preview: Croatia vs. Belgium - Prediction, Team News, Lineups
Croatia will take on Belgium on Thursday afternoon in a clash between two medalists from the 2018 World Cup. Both sides may have reached the semi-finals in Russia but a passage to the knockout stage in Qatar is not certain for either nation heading into the final match of Group F.
The two group favorites face off on match day three with the winner likely to end the group stage on top of their group. Let's Predict the starting line-up of Croatia vs Belgium.
Where: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
When: Thursday 1 December 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
Fifa rankings: Croatia (12), Belgium (2)
If Canada wins a shocking game against Morocco, Belgium can still progress with a draw depending on the goal gap equation, though they really need a win. Croatia vs Belgium prediction might be found here.
Croatia came back to their swaggering best in a 4-1 win over Canada and with four points from their two matches, can progress with a draw.
Belgium started their World Cup campaign as favorites to finish top of their group and struggled to win a game in match day one, and labored in their victory over Canada. The tables have become somewhat now and with so much on the line Thursday, it would be a surprise to see either side dominate throughout the game and we consequently back a draw. Likewise, with neither side willing to overcommit and risk being exposed defensively, a wager on under goals score might well pay off in match day three.
Recent encounters back up the likelihood of a low-scoring match with none of the last 5 clashes between the two sides seeing more than three goals scored. Within those meetings, 4 out of the 5 have seen one side win by just one score, with a bet on this match's result a likely winner on Thursday as well.
Croatia boss Dalic is unlikely to make too many adjustments, if any, to his starting lineup following Sunday's victory, which could see Livaja come in as the central striker in between fellow attackers Kramaric and Ivan Perisic.
Thirty-seven-year-old captain Luka Modric is just one booking away from a suspension, but the Real Madrid man is predicted to retain his place in center-midfield alongside Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic.
While Dejan Lovren and Josko Gvardiol sustain their partnership at center-back, Josip Juranovic and Borna Sosa will be hoping to keep their spots at full-back ahead of Josip Stanisic and Borna Barisic respectively.
As for Belgium, Martinez is pushed to make at least one adjustment to his side on Thursday as midfielder Amadou Onana is ruled out through suspension, with Youri Tielemans expected to deputize alongside Axel Witsel.
Romelu Lukaku, who has been hampered with hamstring and thigh injuries so far this season, attended the match against Morocco to make his first appearance in Qatar, and Martinez is hopeful that the striker will be fit to be set at the start against Croatia.
However, Michy Batshuayi is still the most likely contender to lead the line for the Red Devils, while De Bruyne and Eden Hazard are foreseen to retain their places even though the attacking pair have struggled to make their mark in Qatar thus far.
Timothy Castagne may continue in the back three alongside experienced center-back duo Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, shielding goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois who is poised to earn his 100th international appearance between the sticks.
Croatia wins: 3
Belgium wins: 3
Draws: 2
Croatia goals: 9
Belgium goals: 6
Belgium form (all competitions):
Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Kramaric, Livaja, Perisic
Courtois; Castagne, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Meunier, Tielemans, Witsel, Carrasco; De Bruyne, E. Hazard; Batshuayi
Croatia 1 - 1 Belgium
The two group favorites face off on match day three with the winner likely to end the group stage on top of their group. Let's Predict the starting line-up of Croatia vs Belgium.
Where: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
When: Thursday 1 December 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
Fifa rankings: Croatia (12), Belgium (2)
Match Preview
If Canada wins a shocking game against Morocco, Belgium can still progress with a draw depending on the goal gap equation, though they really need a win. Croatia vs Belgium prediction might be found here.
Croatia came back to their swaggering best in a 4-1 win over Canada and with four points from their two matches, can progress with a draw.
Belgium started their World Cup campaign as favorites to finish top of their group and struggled to win a game in match day one, and labored in their victory over Canada. The tables have become somewhat now and with so much on the line Thursday, it would be a surprise to see either side dominate throughout the game and we consequently back a draw. Likewise, with neither side willing to overcommit and risk being exposed defensively, a wager on under goals score might well pay off in match day three.
Recent encounters back up the likelihood of a low-scoring match with none of the last 5 clashes between the two sides seeing more than three goals scored. Within those meetings, 4 out of the 5 have seen one side win by just one score, with a bet on this match's result a likely winner on Thursday as well.
Team News
Source: khelnow
Croatia boss Dalic is unlikely to make too many adjustments, if any, to his starting lineup following Sunday's victory, which could see Livaja come in as the central striker in between fellow attackers Kramaric and Ivan Perisic.
Thirty-seven-year-old captain Luka Modric is just one booking away from a suspension, but the Real Madrid man is predicted to retain his place in center-midfield alongside Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic.
While Dejan Lovren and Josko Gvardiol sustain their partnership at center-back, Josip Juranovic and Borna Sosa will be hoping to keep their spots at full-back ahead of Josip Stanisic and Borna Barisic respectively.
Source: khelnow
As for Belgium, Martinez is pushed to make at least one adjustment to his side on Thursday as midfielder Amadou Onana is ruled out through suspension, with Youri Tielemans expected to deputize alongside Axel Witsel.
Romelu Lukaku, who has been hampered with hamstring and thigh injuries so far this season, attended the match against Morocco to make his first appearance in Qatar, and Martinez is hopeful that the striker will be fit to be set at the start against Croatia.
However, Michy Batshuayi is still the most likely contender to lead the line for the Red Devils, while De Bruyne and Eden Hazard are foreseen to retain their places even though the attacking pair have struggled to make their mark in Qatar thus far.
Timothy Castagne may continue in the back three alongside experienced center-back duo Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, shielding goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois who is poised to earn his 100th international appearance between the sticks.
Croatia Vs. Belgium Head-To-Head Record
Croatia wins: 3
Belgium wins: 3
Draws: 2
Croatia goals: 9
Belgium goals: 6
Croatia World Cup form:
- D W
Croatia form (all competitions):
- W W W L D W
Belgium World Cup form:
- W L
Belgium form (all competitions):
- W W L L W L
Source: theanalyst
Croatia's Possible Starting Lineup:
Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Kramaric, Livaja, Perisic
Belgium's Possible Starting Lineup:
Courtois; Castagne, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Meunier, Tielemans, Witsel, Carrasco; De Bruyne, E. Hazard; Batshuayi
Prediction:
Croatia 1 - 1 Belgium
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