Neymar and Brazil look to push forward into the last four of the 2022 World Cup, but 2018 finalists Croatia stand in their way as the two sides clash in the quarterfinals in Qatar.
Brazil have advanced past the quarterfinals just once since winning their last World Cup title in 2002, and will look to get over the hump as the pre-tournament betting favorites.
Luka Modric and Croatia, meanwhile, have proven difficult to take down, with just a single defeat in the last two World Cup tournaments, coming in last edition's final against France.
Neymar is back healthy for Brazil, and his presence helped take down South Korea 4-1 last time out, with the entire attacking front line in great form for the South American side. For Croatia, they managed to squeak past Japan in the Round of 16 on penalties after a scoreless draw.
MORE: When is Croatia vs. Brazil? Date, time, history, and TV info for quarterfinal match
Pre-match odds via BetMGM, Caesars, and FanDuel (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and Ladbrokes (Australia).
Croatia vs. Brazil odds, lines, handicaps to win
Brazil are heavily fancied by the bookmakers here, and the sub-par performances by Croatia in this tournament so far are reflected in their odds. The impressive win over South Korea, meanwhile, put to bed any doubts of Brazil's ceiling in Qatar.
The over has a slight advantage in this match thanks to the form of Brazil's attacking trio, highlighted by the return of Neymar from injury. Meanwhile, oddsmakers don't think Croatia can find a way through the Brazil backline, which has conceded just two goals all tournament, one of those coming in the group-stage finale against Cameroon with their second-choice lineup deployed.
MORE: Full betting preview for Croatia vs. Brazil with picks, best bets, props, and fliers
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | Ladbrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Croatia win | +700 | 7.80 | 8/1 | 6/1 |
| Draw | +360 | 4.60 | 4/1 | 3/1 |
| Brazil win | -250 | 1.36 | 1/3 | 1/2 |
| Both teams to score Y / N | +105 / -150 | 2.04 / 1.61 | 11/10, 4/6 | 19/20, 4/5 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | -130 / -105 | 1.78 / 1.93 | 8/11, 1/1 | 5/6, 10/11 |
| Brazil -1.5 | +105 | 2.05 | — | — |
| Croatia +1.5 | -155 | 1.72 | — | — |
| Brazil advance | -650 | 1.16 | 1/8 | 2/9 |
| Croatia advance | +360 | 4.70 | 9/2 | 3/1 |
Note: Odds above for 90 minutes of regulation except "to advance."
Croatia vs. Brazil team news, injuries
The biggest issue for Croatia is a muscle injury to full-back Josip Stanisic, who missed the Round of 16 win over Japan. Josip Juranovic filled in and went the distance, playing extremely well. His full-back counterpart, Borna Sosa, also missed that game due to illness, with Borna Barisic stepping in, and it's thought Sosa could return.
Brazil have a number of injuries to worry about. Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles are out of the tournament after suffering injuries in the final group-stage game against Cameroon, while Alex Sandro is hoping to shake off his hip injury after missing the Round of 16 win over South Korea, with Eder Militao having filled in at right-back. Danilo is fit, having started that first knockout match, as is Neymar, who played 80 minutes after recovering from an ankle injury.
MORE: Croatia vs. Brazil predictions, best bets, picks, props, and more for World Cup quarterfinal
Croatia vs. Brazil goalscorer odds
Brazil goalscorers are almost universally favored in this match to find the back of the net, given their firepower up and down the lineup. Neymar is understandably the most likely of the group to strike, but Richarlison, Raphinha, and Vinicius Jr. all have a great shot at netting to push Brazil into the semifinal. Despite playing just 26 minutes so far this tournament, the bookmakers also give Flamengo frontman Pedro a great chance to score.
For Croatia, the outlook is more bleak. Lone striker Andrej Kramaric has carried the load so far, but Croatia have scored just one goal outside of the 4-1 win over Canada in the group stage, so they're thought unlikely to break through a stout Brazilian defensive unit.
Croatia goalscorer odds vs. Brazil
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | Ladbrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Kramaric | First: +900 Any: +350 | First: 13.00 Any: 4.94 | First: 10/1 Any: 7/2 | First: 9/1 Any: 7/2 |
| M. Livaja | First: +1000 Any: +350 | First: 14.00 Any: 5.04 | First: 10/1 Any: 7/2 | First: 10/1 Any: 7/2 |
| A. Budimir | First: +1000 Any: +350 | First: 12.00 Any: 4.64 | First: 10/1 Any: 7/2 | First: 10/1 Any: 7/2 |
| B. Petkovic | First: +1100 Any: +400 | First: 16.00 Any: 5.84 | First: 12/1 Any: 4/1 | First: 11/1 Any: 4/1 |
| I. Perisic | First: +1400 Any: +500 | First: 17.00 Any: 6.24 | First: 14/1 Any: 11/2 | First: 14/1 Any: 5/1 |
Note: Odds above for 90 minutes of regulation only.
Brazil goalscorer odds vs. Croatia
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | Ladbrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neymar | First: +320 Any: +115 | First: 5.00 Any: 1.97 | First: 4/1 Any: 5/4 | First: 16/5 Any: 23/20 |
| Richarlison | First: +350 Any: +140 | First: 6.00 Any: 2.48 | First: 9/2 Any: 13/8 | First: 7/2 Any: 7/5 |
| Pedro | First: +400 Any: +150 | First: 6.00 Any: 2.50 | First: 5/1 Any: 7/4 | First: 4/1 Any: 6/4 |
| Raphinha | First: +600 Any: +225 | First: 8.60 Any: 3.38 | First: 15/2 Any: 5/2 | First: 6/1 Any: 9/4 |
| Vinicius Jr. | First: +600 Any: +225 | First: 8.20 Any: 3.27 | First: 15/2 Any: 5/2 | First: 6/1 Any: 9/4 |
Note: Odds above for 90 minutes of regulation only.
Croatia vs. Brazil half odds
Brazil are massive favorites to win both halves, while it would be a dream for Croatia to somehow top the betting favorites both before and after the break.
The second half has been favored almost universally through this tournament, with teams cagey before the break and then opening things up as the game drags on.
| Caesars | SkyBet | Ladbrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win either half | CRO: +305 BRA: -410 | CRO: 3/1 BRA: 1/5 | CRO: 3/1 BRA: 2/9 |
| Win both halves | CRO: +2700 BRA: +230 | CRO: 50/1 BRA: 9/4 | CRO: 55/1 BRA: 11/5 |
| Half most goals | 1H: +195 Draw: +245 2H: +103 | 1H: 2/1 Draw: 5/2 2H: 11/10 | 1H: 23/10 Draw: 5/2 2H: 10/11 |
Note: Odds above for 90 minutes of regulation only.
Croatia vs. Brazil cards & corners odds
Hajduk Split striker Marko Livaja has not been booked yet this tournament, but is the man thought to be most at risk of picking up a caution in this match. Brazil midfielder Casemiro has the lowest odds of anyone on the South American side, as he'll be shielding the back line from any Croatian counter-attacks through the middle.
Brazil are thought to pour on the attacking firepower, which would lead to a significant lead in corners. Croatia, meanwhile, are not a team that consistently rack up corners, so their total is far less, especially considering they are likely to spend significant time off the ball.
| FanDuel | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRO O/U 2.5 cards | -174 / +136 | — | — |
| BRA O/U 1.5 cards | -112 / -112 | — | — |
| CRO 20+ book pts | — | — | 8/13 |
| BRA 20+ book pts | — | — | 1/1 |
| O/U 3.5 total cards | -112 / -112 | 1.81 / 1.90 | — |
| 40+ total book pts | — | — | 1/1 |
| M. Livaja booked | +195 | — | — |
| Casemiro booked | +320 | — | — |
| CRO red card | +620 | — | 15/2 |
| BRA red card | +650 | — | 9/1 |
| Either/Both red card | +400 / +4200 | — | 9/2, 66/1 |
| Over 8.5 total corners | -146 / +114 | 1.61 / 2.19 | 4/7 |
| CRO over 2.5 corners | -162 | — | 8/13 |
| BRA over 5.5 corners | -138 | — | 4/7 |
Note: Odds above for 90 minutes of regulation only.
Note: Cards totals count a straight red card as two cards, while a second yellow to a red counts as three total cards (one for initial yellow, two for red).
How do booking points work?
Instead of counting total cards in a match, "booking points" are utilized in Europe to summarize the disciplinary record of a team or match.
Here is how booking points are calculated:
- One yellow card = 10 booking points
- One red card = 25 booking points
- Second yellow card = 35 total booking points (10 for initial yellow, 25 for red — 2nd yellow does not contribute)
