Croatia vs Canada: Maple Leafs can hold 2018 runners-up
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World Cup 2022: Croatia vs Canada odds, preview and tips
Both nations are seeking their first World Cup victory at the finals, but Canada can be encouraged by their performance in a 1-0 defeat by Belgium, who scored from a long punt forward converted by Michy Batshuayi.
Croatia, the 2018 runners-up, lacked spark in attack during a goalless draw with Morocco and are 50/1 in the World Cup winner odds.
Ladbrokes go 23/20 in the Croatia winning odds for Sunday’s match, while the Canadians are 5/2 to taste a World Cup victory for the first time after an excellent qualifying campaign in which they finished above Mexico and the USA.
Croatia vs Canada form
The Croats headed to Qatar buoyed by their impressive displays in the Nations League which saw them top their group ahead of Denmark and world champions France to qualify for next year’s finals, but their toothless attack was exposed in Wednesday’s lacklustre draw with the Atlas Lions.
Canada, on the other hand, outshot the Belgians 22-9 and Alphonso Davies had an early penalty saved by Thibaut Courtois in their first appearance at the finals in 36 years.
Only three of their efforts were on target, though, as wayward finishing let them down, but head coach John Herdman believes their performance proved they belong at the World Cup.
He said: “We came into the game with a couple of goals, the first was to play fearless and the second goal was to entertain. We had some other goals – to create some firsts, but we never got to those moments. I think at times it was one pass too many around the box. I’m not going to criticise them because when you outshoot Belgium I can’t complain too much.”
Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic, meanwhile, felt his players were “very cautious” and “a bit indecisive – a bit of courage was missing from our side”, so a more positive approach could be in order this weekend.
Those words, though, do not bode well for the clash with the high-pressing Canadians, so another draw at 11/5 in the World Cup odds looks the way forward.
Croatia vs Canada head to head
This will be the first meeting between the nations and Croatia to play out another goalless draw is available at 15/2 in the World Cup betting.
Canada failed to score a goal in their three defeats at the 1986 World Cup and are 8/5 to fire blanks again, while Croatia are available at 12/5 to win to nil.
Draw HT/Croatia FT can be backed at 15/4, while under 1.5 goals, which would have paid out in both teams’ group openers, is 2/1.
Croatia vs Canada team news
The Croats had five players that featured in the 2018 World Cup final defeat by France, but Luka Modric struggled to make an impact, so Dalic could make changes, although he is likely to stick with a 4-3-3 formation.
Herdman went with a 3-4-2-1 system against the Belgians, with Jonathan David leading the line, supported by Junior Hoilett and the impressive Brugge forward Tajon Buchanan.
Bayern Munich star Davies, who had been an injury doubt before the game, played on the left and will be keen to atone for his penalty miss.
Goalscorer odds
Andrej Kramaric was ineffectual as the main striker but is 4/1 co-favourite with Ante Budimir and Marko Livaja to open the scoring, although the last two mentioned were on the bench.
Ivan Perisic looks a better bet at 11/2 to break the deadlock or 12/5 to score, while Nikola Vlasic is 7/1 and 14/5 in the two options. Both players started against Morocco.
For the underdogs, David is viewed as the main threat at 6/1 and 13/5 in the goalscoring markets, while Davies is 17/2 and 7/2. Buchanan deserves consideration at 5/1 to score any time in our Croatia vs Canada betting tips.
Match Info
Where: Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan
When: 16:00, Sunday 27th November
How to watch: BBC
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
