The following is a match centre with betting tips for the 2018 FIFA World Cup round of 16 fixture between Croatia and Denmark. The game kicks off on the 2nd of July at 4:00 AM AEST. It will be broadcast live on SBS.
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Croatia
- FIFA World Rank: 20
- Elo Rating: 17
- Qualifying: Runners up in Group I with a 6-2-2 record in the UEFA Confederation qualification. Defeated Greece 4-1 on aggregate in the UEFA Second Round playoffs.
Squad:
- Coach: Zlatko Dalić
- Goalkeepers: Danijel Subasic (Monaco), Lovre Kalinic (Gent), Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo)
- Defenders: Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Domagoj Vida (Besiktas), Ivan Strinic (Sampdoria), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid), Josip Pivaric (Dynamo Kiev), Tin Jedvaj (Bayer Leverkusen), Duje Caleta-Car (Red Bull Salzburg)
- Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona), Mateo Kovacic (Real Madrid), Milan Badelj (Fiorentina), Marcelo Brozovic (Inter), Filip Bradaric (Rijeka)
- Forwards: Mario Mandzukic (Juventus), Ivan Perisic (Inter), Nikola Kalinic (Milan), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Marko Pjaca (Schalke), Ante Rebic (Eintracht)
Recent results:
- Iceland 1 – 2 Croatia
26/06/2018
FIFA World Cup, played in Russia - Argentina 0 – 3 Croatia
21/06/2018
FIFA World Cup, played in Russia - Croatia 2 – 0 Nigeria
16/06/2018
FIFA World Cup, played in Russia - Croatia 2 – 1 Senegal
08/06/2018
Friendly, played in Croatia - Croatia 0 – 2 Brazil
03/06/2018
Friendly, played in England - Mexico 0 – 1 Croatia
27/03/2018
Friendly, played in USA - Peru 2 – 0 Croatia
23/03/2018
Friendly, played in USA - Greece 0 – 0 Croatia
12/11/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Greece - Croatia 4 – 1 Greece
09/11/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Croatia - Ukraine 0 – 2 Croatia
09/10/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Ukraine - Croatia 1 – 1 Finland
06/10/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Croatia - Turkey 1 – 0 Croatia
05/09/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Turkey
Statistics: (last four years):
- H2H Record: 28-10-8
- O/U record
- O/U 0.5 record: 44-2
- O/U 1.5 record: 33-13
- O/U 2.5 record: 17-29
- O/U 3.5 record: 8-38
- O/U 4.5 record: 5-41
- O/U 5.5 record: 4-42
- Wins
- Total wins: 28
- Won by 1 goal: 12
- Won by 2 goals: 7
- Won by 3 goals: 4
- Won by 4 goals: 2
- Won by 5 goals: 0
- Won by 5+ goals: 3
- Won to nil 21
- Losses
- Total losses: 8
- Lost by 1 goal: 4
- Lost by 2 goals: 3
- Lost by 3 goals: 1
- Lost by 4 goals: 0
- Lost by 5 goals: 0
- Lost by 5+ goals: 0
- Lost to nil 7
- Clean Sheets and BTTS
- Total Games: 46
- Clean Sheets: 23
- Held Scoreless: 9
- Both Teams Scored: 16
Denmark
- FIFA World Rank: 12
- Elo Rating: 16
- Qualifying: Runners up in Group E with a 6-2-2 record in the UEFA Confederation qualification. Defeated the Republic of Ireland 5-1 on aggregate in the UEFA Second Round playoffs.
Squad:
- Coach: Åge Hareide (Norway)
- Goalkeepers: Frederik Ronnow (Brondby), Jonas Lossl (Huddersfield), Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester)
- Defenders: Andreas Christensen (Chelsea), Henrik Dalsgaard (Brentford), Jannik Vestergaard (Borussia Monchengladbach), Jens Stryger Larsen (Udinese), Jonas Knudsen (Ipswich), Mathias Jorgensen (Huddersfield), Simon Kjaer (Sevilla)
- Midfielders: Christian Eriksen (Tottenham), Lasse Schone (Ajax), Lukas Lerager (Bordeaux), Michael Krohn-Dehli (Deportivo La Coruna), Thomas Delaney (Werder Bremen), Willian Kvist (FC Copenhagen)
- Forwards: Andreas Cornelius (Atalanta), Kasper Dolberg (Ajax), Martin Braithwaite (Bordeaux), Nicolai Jorgensen (Feyenoord), Pione Sisto (Celta Vigo), Viktor Fischer (FC Copenhagen), Yussuf Yurary Poulsen (RB Leipzig)
Recent results:
- Denmark 0 – 0 France
26/06/2018
FIFA World Cup, played in Russia - Denmark 1 – 1 Australia
21/06/2018
FIFA World Cup, played in Russia - Peru 0 – 1 Denmark
16/06/2018
FIFA World Cup, played in Russia - Denmark 2 – 0 Mexico
09/06/2018
Friendly, played in Denmark - Sweden 0 – 0 Denmark
02/06/2018
Friendly, played in Sweden - Denmark 0 – 0 Chile
27/03/2018
Friendly, played in Denmark - Denmark 1 – 0 Panama
22/03/2018
Friendly, played in Denmark - Denmark 0 – 1 Sweden
11/01/2018
Friendly, played in the UAE - Ireland 1 – 5 Denmark
14/11/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Ireland - Denmark 0 – 0 Ireland
11/11/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Denmark - Denmark 1 – 1 Romania
08/10/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Denmark - Montenegro 0 – 1 Denmark
05/10/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Montenegro
Statistics: (last four years):
- H2H Record: 18-14-11
- O/U record
- O/U 0.5 record: 36-7
- O/U 1.5 record: 27-16
- O/U 2.5 record: 18-25
- O/U 3.5 record: 12-31
- O/U 4.5 record: 6-37
- O/U 5.5 record: 1-42
- Wins
- Total wins: 18
- Won by 1 goal: 8
- Won by 2 goals: 4
- Won by 3 goals: 2
- Won by 4 goals: 3
- Won by 5 goals: 1
- Won by 5+ goals: 0
- Won to nil 9
- Losses
- Total losses: 11
- Lost by 1 goal: 9
- Lost by 2 goals: 2
- Lost by 3 goals: 0
- Lost by 4 goals: 0
- Lost by 5 goals: 0
- Lost by 5+ goals: 0
- Lost to nil 7
- Clean Sheets and BTTS
- Total Games: 43
- Clean Sheets: 16
- Held Scoreless: 14
- Both Teams Scored: 20
Commentary
Croatia topped Group D after they defeated Nigeria 2-0, Argentina 3-0 and Iceland 2-1. With their superb midfield featuring Luka Modrić & Co., Croatia have been many people’s dark horse for the tournament and their 7 goals with just one conceded (from a penalty) underlines their World Cup credentials. There was some good fortune in their goals against Nigeria and they had an indifferent start as they missed some sitters against Argentina, but Croatia have defended doggedly this tournament, which is a key trait to have in the knockout stage. Against Iceland Croatia made 8 changes to the squad and pulled captain Luka Modrić from the field soon after the hour mark, but still managed to win 2-1, despite Iceland throwing the kitchen sink at them with everything to play for. The result highlights the squad depth in the Croatian team, which bodes well as suspensions accumulate due to multiple yellow cards. Eight Croatian players have picked up a card this tournament. Croatia only managed to finish second in their qualifying campaign, but they look a rejuvenated side under head coach Zlatko Dalic, who took over with one qualifying game to play. Croatia have since gone undefeated in competitive matches since his appointment.
Denmark qualified as the runners up of Group C, following a 1-0 win over Peru, 1-1 draw with Australia and 0-0 draw with France. They’ve been efficient but unspectacular so far this tournament. They played for the draw against France and were fortuitous with the scheduling, with France having already qualified for the Round of 16 before that fixture. Star player Christian Eriksen continues to be a talisman for the side. He set up Denmark’s goal against Peru and was the goalscorer against Australia. In his last 16 games for Denmark he has scored 13 goals and provided 5 assists. Denmark have become a tough side to defeat. Ignoring non-FIFA international friendlies, the side is unbeaten in 18 games with a 9-9-0 record since October 2016. They have kept 6 clean sheets in their last 7 games, with the solitary goal conceded coming from a questionable penalty decision. In team news, Yussuf Poulsen is available after serving his suspension for two yellow cards, while William Kvist could return after picking up a chest injury against Peru.
Betting
bet365 odds (subject to change):
Compare the latest bookmaker odds for Croatia vs. Denmark
Neither Denmark nor Croatia have conceded a goal from open play this tournament, with the solitary goal conceded by each side coming from the penalty spot. Historical head-to-head data isn’t too helpful given the two sides haven’t met since 2004 and their last meeting at a major tournament was in 1996.
Croatia haven’t won a knock-out game at a major tournament since 1998, but they are a great chance of ending that streak. You could make a case for them being the best team in the tournament so far. The side boasts a solid defence and a world-class midfield, which always gives you a good chance to win. Denmark have had some luck to progress to this stage, with Peru wasting numerous chances, some in the Australia camp feeling they let one slip away, and France not needing anything from their final fixture. Denmark do boast a world-class player in midfielder Christian Eriksen, but he will be up against a world-class Croatian midfield with no real weaknesses. Since losing to France in the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup, Croatia have since won five of their six World Cup games against European opponents. Including pre-tournament friendlies, Croatia have won five of their last six games, with their only defeat a 2-0 loss to Brazil at Anfield in June. Because they rotated the bulk of the squad for their final group match, the squad is well rested ahead of this fixture.
The Draw/Croatia HT/FT selection is also worth a look. Six of Croatia’s seven goals in the tournament have come in the second half, with the only first half score being an own goal. Meanwhile, only two of Denmark’s last ten fixtures have featured first half goals.
Betting tip: back under 2.5 goals at 1.50 (Betfair) and Croatia to win at 1.90 (Unibet). For those looking for more risk, take Draw/Croatia in the HT/FT market at 4.80 (Unibet).
Notes
- FIFA World rankings are from the 7th of June and sourced from https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/index.html
- The World Football Elo Ratings are from the 11th of June and are based on the Elo rating system, developed by Dr. Arpad Elo. This system is used by the international chess federation to rate chess players and is considered by many to be a superior rating tool to the one used by FIFA. The ratings have been sourced from https://www.eloratings.net/.
- Squad lists sourced from http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12098/11374464/every-world-cup-squad-listed-argentina-brazil-russia-and-more