France
A close look at the France vs. Croatia odds
The Money Line odds imply France are favourites to win the match with around a 50%* chance of winning the game in 90 minutes.
France
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France vs Croatia predicted lineups
France:
Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez; Kante, Pogba; Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi; Giroud
Deschamps can name an unchanged side from the semi-final win over Belgium.
Croatia:
Subasic; Vrsaljko, Vida, Lovren, Strnic; Brozovic, Rakitic, Modric; Rebic, Mandzukic, Perisic
Kramaric provides an attacking alternative to Brozovic if Zlatko Dalic wishes to add fresh legs to his team. Milan Badelj and Mateo Kovacic provide useful midfield options.
France vs. Croatia stats
- France have won six of their last seven knockout matches within 90 minutes
- The French have kept clean sheets in four of their six World Cup 2018 matches
- Every World Cup 2018 knockout stage match involving Croatia has gone to extra time
- Both teams have scored in Croatia’s last four matches
2018 World Cup: Expected goals (per match)
France:
- Expected goals
for: 1.3 - Expected goals
against: 0.7
Croatia:
- Expected goals
for: 1.9 - Expected goals
against: 1.3
Inform your France vs. Croatia prediction
France
The addition of Mbappe to the 2016 side along with youthful replacements for Sagna and Evra at fullback has improved the team ensuring are worthy favourites to lift the trophy. Victories over Uruguay, Brazil and Belgium demonstrate the quality within the team.
This improvement is important since they are up against a Croatian side with more than enough talent to surprise the French on their day. The Croats have certainly been resilient during this tournament all three of their knockout round fixtures going to extra time.
They will hope fatigue does not become a factor as the final
Key area: Which side will win the midfield battle?
A key part of France’s successful run in this tournament has been their outstanding defence. Didier Deschamps opted to focus on defensive solidity over an expansive attack and that approach has worked effectively as the tournament has progressed.
A large part of that defensive success has been due to the work of their central midfield duo of Paul Pogba and N’golo Kante alongside Blaise Matuidi’s energy on the left.
In the win over
It will be vital during Sunday’s fixture that France
Zlatko Dalic is likely to select Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric and Marcelo Brozovic in central midfield. Rakitic is a Champions League winner and
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Follow PinnacleBrozovic, the youngest of the three, is also exceptionally talented and will grace the Champions League this season with Inter Milan. All three players are very comfortable on the ball and capable of both scoring goals and providing assists.
The French will be eager to prevent the Croatian midfield from being as influential as they were against England. Modric and Rakitic, in particular, were instrumental in shifting the ball into wide areas where Croatia could cause damage.
Equally, Matuidi will be charged with shutting down Sime Vrsaljko who caused plenty of problems for the English when he linked up with Modric on the Croatian right side.
If Pogba, Kante and Matuidi can get the better of their opposite numbers then a French victory becomes much more likely considering their superior talent in other areas of the pitch.
France vs. Croatia: Where is the value?
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Due to the cautious way in which France play and the potential fatigue in the Croatian team an opening goal for France would likely lead to opportunities on the counter-attack for the dangerous Mbappe and Griezmann.
The French frontline
Given that an opening goal for France is a fairly likely scenario backing France to score over 1.25 goals at 2.080* could offer value to bettors.
Likewise, Croatia taking the lead would eventually draw France out of their defensive game plan and result in a more open game. The Croatian midfield trio
As a result, over 1.5 goals to be scored in the game at 1.578* could be a sensible selection regardless of which side opens the scoring.
To make the most of our best value odds make sure to read more of Pinnacle’s expert betting advice.