Join us for our latest World Cup betting picks and expert analysis to assist you with Friday’s Quarterfinal games.
2018 finalists Croatia have been matched with the 2022 betting favorites in a final-8 showdown, while the Dutch squad will face their toughest test to date as Lionel Messi and the Argentinian team lie in wait.
Read on for the final World Cup Quarterfinal fixtures, soccer analysis, and betting preview for a schedule involving Croatia vs. Brazil and Netherlands vs. Argentina.
Don’t forget to stay up to date on any player injuries that may affect the performance of your favorite teams during the World Cup.
Croatia vs. Brazil
Friday, December 9, 2022 – 10:00 AM EST at Education City Stadium
Rested Superstars Versus Extra Time Legs
Brazil is living up to the hype as World Cup betting favorites after winning 3 of their 4 games in Qatar thus far. They did lose to Cameroon but notably rested their key players. They’ll face a stern test when meeting the 2018 finalists Croatia, but the checkered ones have had no room to rest their aging stars and were taken into the deep waters of extra time by Japan.
Overcoming a vibrant, young, and well-rested Brazil squad could prove too much for Zlatko Dalic’s men. And despite being positioned as this huge attacking threat, Brazil head coach Tite has employed a defensive mindset that’s been one of the Selecaos’ biggest assistance at this tournament.
Two Stubborn Defenses
Croatia has allowed just two goals in Qatar so far and three goals from their previous 20 games in all competitions. There’s no denying that the game plan for Dalic will involve a flooded defense aiming to hit Brazil with counterattacks, which could frustrate Brazil, who only managed four goals during their Group G meetings.
Likewise, the Selecao have been defensively robust, allowing just one goal throughout the tournament. Their 4-1 thrashing of South Korea has been the only high-scoring affair at Qatar, so finding the net could be difficult for Croatia.
Croatia vs. Brazil Quarterfinals Betting Picks
The current World Cup odds show Brazil as the moneyline favorites, but from a betting perspective, -280 isn’t a viable approach, especially at this final-8 stage of the tournament.
Everything points to a low-scoring encounter, as these two squads have prevented a lot of goals and proved their defensive attributes to be commendable so far. Brazil is the likely outfit to edge a victory, and my crystal ball shows a Vinicius Jr. 85th-minute winner could send the Croatians packing.
Score Prediction: Croatia 0 – Brazil 1
Brazil Team Total: Under 2.5 (-190) at Caesars Sportsbook
Soccer Pick: Half-Time Draw (+135) at FanDuel
Netherlands vs. Argentina
Friday, December 9, 2022 – 02:00 PM EST at Lusail Iconic Stadium
The Argentinian Luck Runs Out on Friday
Surprisingly, Argentina’s most notable performance was their losing efforts versus Saudi Arabia on matchday one. They’ve since won three games consecutively. However, they were lucky to overcome Mexico, Poland looked lost, and they barely reached the final 8 after scraping by Australia.
There’s no more hiding, as Argentina will face a European force to be reckoned with in the Netherlands. Messi has arguably carried La Albiceleste, but the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner won’t have such fortune against Louis van Gaal and co.
Underrated Dutch Squad
The Oranje have gone unnoticed because their squad is young, and the star power isn’t as prominent as other teams. However, since his arrival, Van Gaal has taken this squad through a 19-game unbeaten run. To net three goals past a USA squad that was seemingly unbreakable was a commendable performance.
Argentina is by no means a pushover, but they’ve struggled against European opposition for the past 80 years, as their last nine exits from the World Cup knockout phase have been at the hands of European squads.
Netherlands vs. Argentina Quarterfinals Betting Picks
The current World Cup odds at the best sportsbooks show Argentina as the betting favorites, but +250 on the Dutch squad is the only moneyline price I’d pay attention to.
With Memphis Depay, a well-experienced coach in Van Gaal, and a questionable Argentinian squad as their opponents, the Netherlands can, at the very least, take their opponents into extra time.
Score Prediction: Netherlands 2 – Argentina 1
Soccer Pick: Netherlands Win or Draw (Double Chance) (-150) at Bet365
