Croatia (1 win, 0 losses, 1 draw) battles Belgium (1-1-0) in both nations’ final Group F group stage match. Kickoff from Ahmad bin Ali Stadium is set for 10 a.m. ET (FOX). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Croatia vs. Belgium odds, and make our best World Cup bets, picks and predictions.
Croatia drew Morocco 0-0 in their 1st match and destroyed Canada 4-1 Sunday. Croatia roared back after giving up a 2nd-minute goal and led 2-1 at the half. It ended with 10 shots on target and allowed just 2 on frame from Canada. Croatia is led by 37-year-old M Luka Modric, who captains the Group F leaders.
Belgium took down Canada 1-0 in their 1st match and then lost to Morocco 2-0, having the majority of possession in both games. Captained by Man City star M Kevin de Bruyne, Belgium will need a win (or a Morocco loss to Canada by 3 or more goals) to advance with Croatia and Morocco both with 4 points.
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Croatia vs. Belgium odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 12:01 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Croatia +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Belgium +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Draw +235
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: +115 | U: -135)
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Prediction
Croatia 2, Belgium 1
Moneyline (ML)
LEAN CROATIA (+170).
As de Bruyne said earlier in the tournament, Belgium is just too old, and they looked that part against Morocco.
Even against Canada, Belgium had 13 fewer shots and just 54% of the possession. Canada was among the 1st 2 teams eliminated from the knockout stage, so that is far from an impressive look despite a 1-0 win.
Croatia proved they were more than their aging captain as well. Modric is the star, but M Mateo Kovacic, who plays for Chelsea, and F Andrej Kramaric, who plays in the Bundesliga for 1899 Hoffenheim, have had several impactful moments throughout the 1st 2 matches.
Belgium has won the possession battle and still lost. Against a team with a far better midfield than they’ve faced this tournament, expect Belgium to lag behind. Take Croatia (+170) as they still have something to play for.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET OVER 2.5 (+110).
Croatia put up 4 goals on Canada. Modric has the talent to get players in a position to succeed.
While de Bruyne hasn’t translated what he can do into goals, they should come given that Belgium has 19 shots through 2 games and just 1 goal.
The Belgium defense has also been underwhelming, allowing 22 shots to Canada and 10 to a defensive-minded Morocco team. Croatia, who has the talent to finish, could abuse those flaws.
Prior to World Cup action, Belgium was 6-3 O/U this total through 9 matches in 2022. Considering that, and Croatia’s strength in the final 3rd, back the Over 2.5 (+110).
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