Russia v Croatia Preview and Prediction

Date:/Time: 07^th July 2018 (Kick-off 7 PM GMT)

On Saturday night, World Cup hosts Russia go head-to-head with Croatia for a place in the semi-finals of the competition.

Despite pre-tournament predictions that Russia would fail to get out of their group, the host nation has progressed to the quarter-finals of World Cup 2018.

Last time out Stanislav Cherchesov’s team progressed past highly-rated Spain courtesy of penalty kicks after the game had finished 1-1 in normal and extra-time.

Their World Cup campaign may have lifted spirits in the country, but the hosts have won just twice in their last 11 international outings. Everybody connected with the nation will be hoping that record improves in this clash.

Top Football Bookmakers

Croatia were one of the more impressive sides in the group stages, winning all three of their group games, while also finding the net at least twice in all three games.

However, Zlatko Dalic’s side needed a penalty shootout to defeat Denmark last time out after the game finished 1-1 after extra-time.

Croatia’s best finish at a World Cup remains finishing third-place in 1998. The Eastern European nation knows that they have a golden opportunity to go even further this time around. They are favourites to win this clash and book their place in the semi-finals.

Prediction

Croatia victory and/or under 2.5 goals