Russia v Croatia Betting Tips: BTTS, World Cup 2018

Russia and Croatia to produce goals with semi-final slot at stake

Russia
Russia © GEPA pictures

RUSSIA v CROATIA

Saturday 7th July 2018 – Kickoff: 1900hrs

Football – World – World Cup 2018 Betting Tips

Welcome to my World Cup 2018 betting tips, and hosts Russia, take on Croatia in the last of the quarter-final matches at the Fisht Stadium as the home nation looks to book the final available spot for the semi-finals.

Although they’re the host nation, it would be fair to say that Russia have exceeded their own expectations as they prepare to take on Croatia in the quarter-finals following a strong World Cup campaign so far.

Uruguay were expected to top Group A, which they duly achieved, but Russia emerged as the best of the rest as they edged out Saudi Arabia and Egypt to claim the runners-up spot, thanks to chalking up six points from their three group matches which included wins over Saudi Arabia 5-0 and a 3-1 win over Egypt.

A 3-0 defeat to Uruguay in their final group match didn’t prevent them from qualifying for the knock-out stages where they continued their momentum by providing one of the shocks of this tournament when they beat highly fancied Spain in a penalty shoot-out after the teams were level at 1-1 after extra time.

Coach, Cherchesov, is expected to stick with the same team that beat Spain with Golovin and Samedov in support roles for forward, Dzyuba, who has notched 3 goals to date in the tournament, while Cheryshev (3 goals) will also push for a recall. Wide midfielders, Zhirkov and Fernandes will be crucial to Russia’s counter-attacks.

Onto Croatia, and they too have continued their momentum and have flown under the radar so far as they enter the last eight in confident mood having put together a four match winning streak in this World Cup to date.

Croatia were impressive during the group stages as they collected wins over Nigeria 2-0, Argentina 3-0 and Iceland 2-1, as well as a last round of 16 win over Denmark 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out, but things could have been very different for them.

Croatia missed a penalty in the final minute of normal time after a controversial last-ditch tackle failed to produce a red card, but Croatia eventually pulled through in the dreaded penalty shoot-out to earn a place in these quarter-finals.

Modric is the pivotal player in Croatia’s continued success and the likes of defensive midfielder, Rakitic, along with Perisic and Mandzukic up front will also provide crucial support.

This looks like being another close encounter, and my betting tips system suggests backing both teams to score here.

Pick: Both teams to score @ 2.25 Betfair